Issued November 30, I'JO'J. 



SB 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

' BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY— BULLETIN No. 127. 

H. \V. WILEY, Chief of Bureau. 



THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE 

COMPOSITION OF SWEET CORN, 

1905-1908. 



By 



M. N. STRAUGHN and C. G. CHURCH, 

Assistant Chemists, Sugar Laboratory, 

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

11. W. WILEY, 

Chief of Bureau. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1 !» !• . 




Glass. 
Book- 



Issued November 30, 1909. 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. <^- 7 t C. 

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY— BULLETIN No. 127. 

H. \V. WILEY, Chief of Bureau. 



THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE 

COMPOSITION OF SWEET CORN, 

1905-1908. 



By 



M. N. STRAUGHN and C. G. CHURCH, 

Assistant Chemists, Sugar Laboratory, 

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

H. W. WILEY, 

Chic/ of Bureau. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 



1909. 



-/ 



caA 






c.^^^^^-^ 

.T^'^ 



^r ^ - j/(i)f 



r 



.ETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

Bureau of Chemistry, 
Washington, D, C, March 6, 1909. 
Sir: I have the honor to submit a report on the continuation of the 
studies on the effects of environment on the composition of crops, 
carried on by Messrs. Straughn and Church under my personal direc- 
tion and in collaboration with the Bureau of Plant Industry and the 
agricultural experiment stations of Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maine. The manuscript submitted for 
your inspection and approval at the present time relates to a four 
years' study of the effect of environment on the sugar content of 
Indian corn at the stage of development and succulence when it is 
generally used for food. 

I recommend that the manuscript be published as Bulletin No. 127 
of the Bureau of Chemistry. 

Respectfully, H. W. Wiley, 

Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. James Wilson, 

Secretary of Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION 



On the completion of the work connected with the study of the 
effect of environment on the sugar content of the beet,'* it was deemed 
advisable in the interests of economy and efficiency to collaborate in 
other studies of this kind with the Bureau of Plant Industry. The 
increasing volume of executive work in the Bureau of Chemistry 
rendered it impossible for the Chief of the Bureau to give as much of 
his personal attention to the study as he had previously done. Ac- 
cordingly an arrangement was made with the Bureau of Plant Indus- 
try whereby the Bureau of Chemistry would assist the Bureau of 
Plant Industry in its work of improvement by selection of sweet 
Indian corn, and the Bureau of Plant Industry undertook to grow 
the crops and give this Bureau full opportunities for studying the 
effect of environment on the composition of the sweet corn, both 
in its succulent state as used upon the table and after maturing. 

Messrs. Straughn and Church, the latter having worked with the 
Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry in studying the effects of environ- 
ment on the sugar content of beets, were accordingly detailed to 
perform the chemical part of the collaborative work. The general 
plan pursued in the former studies was followed in those which are 
reported here. 

The factors which are most effective in influencing the composition 
of the crop are length of day, with its concomitants, the amount 
and distribution of sunshine, the altitude, the temperature, and the 
amount and distribution of rainfall. As in the previous studies, 
we are indebted to the Weather Bureau for the meteorological data, 
to the Coast and Geodetic Survey for the computation of the length 
of day and the altitude and latitude of the stations, and to the 
agricultural experiment stations in the various States where the 
crops were grown, and the preliminary analyses made. It is only 
by such collaboration that problems of this kind which necessarily 
extend over wide areas can be successfully studied. 

The data which have been collected have been secured principally 
along the Atlantic coast, extending from Maine to Florida. Similar 
data are desirable for conditions in different longitudes, as well as in 
different latitudes, since the conditions which obtain in the interior 

oU. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry, Bui. Nos. 64, 74, 78, 95, and 96. 

5 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

of the continent may affect in a marked degree the character of the 
product. 

The distribution of the work from north to south rendered it pos- 
sible for the same analysts to perform the chemical analyses in the 
different locahties. Beginning with the earliest harvest in Florida, 
the same workers followed the ripening crop from Florida to South 
Carohna, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and finally to Maine. 

One of the most important points in connection with this study 
was that the analytical work be done as quickty as possible after the 
harvesting of the crop. Previous work had shown a rapid change, 
especially in the sugar content of the green Indian corn, after its 
separation from the stalk, and particularly if exposed to a high tem- 
perature. It was necessary, therefore, where no chemical laboratory 
was available, to have a portable laboratory, so that the analyses 
could be made as soon as the corn was harvested. In this way the 
errors which would necessarily occur in examining the samples at 
different periods after harvesting were avoided. As it was quite 
impossible to perform all the analytical operations on many hundreds 
of samples in the field, only those analyses were made which could 
be speedily completed, and the samples were preserved in such a way 
as to protect them from any appreciable change until the more elabo- 
rate chemical work could be accomphshed. By the course of experi- 
ments which preceded the beginning of this work it was found that 
the best, simplest, and easiest way of preserving these samples is 
immediately to boil them in alcohol. This not only prevents all 
enzymic and other destructive action but also protects the samples 
from fermentation until such time as they can be more carefully 
examined. 

There are many points relating to the influence of environment 
which are not covered by these investigations. It seemed wiser not 
to comphc'ate the problem by undertaldng too many lines of study. 
Sweet Indian corn is valued as a table dish on account of its succu- 
lence, tenderness, and sweetness, and these were- the points to which 
particular attention was directed. Organoleptic tests were made 
in addition to the chemical determinations as to the sweetness and 
general character of the product and it is interesting to note that 
the results of these agreed in nearly every instance with the chemical 
determinations. In other words, the trained palate, while not able 
to determine the percentage of sugar in such a product as sweet 
Indian corn, was at least able to note the samples as poor, good, or 
excellent, and the chemical analyses bore out the classification thus 
made. 

This line of work has been continued now for a number of years 
with excellent practical results. It has, the writer believes, marked 
out a new course of agricultural investigations which, in the future, 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

will do much for the progress of agricultural sciences. It is true 
that in some small countries the variations in the environment are 
not sufficiently great to enable studies of a similar character to be 
carried on, yet there are many single States in our own country 
whose areas and consequent variations of environment are sufficient 
to permit studies of great value to be carried on within their borders. 
As an illustration of this, Texas, for instance, affords such variations 
in environment that studies of this kind might be undertaken within 
its borders. Fortunately, by reason of the relations which exist 
between the central government and the various States in this country 
it is an easy matter to secure the collaboration of a sufficient number 
of States to widely extend these studies of environment. ITn- 
doubtedly similar collaborative studies could be profitably made 
by countries. For instance, on the continent of North America it 
might be very easy to interest both the Dominion of Canada and 
Mexico in studies of the effect of environment on the composition of 
plants which would grow in all three countries. Thus the line of 
study which has been indicated by these investigations may be 
pursued in the future with much more useful results -by others. 

It is evident that the character of a food plant, as far as its physical 
and organoleptic properties are concerned, is largely the result of 
chemical composition. Hence it follows that if we can place in the 
hands of the farmer the means of influencing this chemical com- 
position much may be accomplished toward the improvement of 
plants and their adaptability to the particular purpose for which 
they are intended. Combined as this study naturally is with that 
of selection for improvement, it affords an almost perfect means of 
variation at the will of the experimenter who may have at his dis- 
posal the variations in environment which are dominant in producing 
chemical change. ^Vliile perhaps it is idle to look forward to a time 
when the environment itself may be subject to variation through 
human means, it is not difficult, in a limited way, to produce changes 
in environment at the present time by growing plants under glass. 
Thus a way may be opened for studying effects of environment 
within a very small area of the United States. While such a study 
would be full of the greatest scientific interest, it could not possibly 
have the same practical value as a study made under natural 
conditions. 

The original plan under which these studies were mapped out 
included also studies of the effect of environment on the protein 
content of cereals and the sugar content of melons. Much pre- 
liminary work has been done along these lines, but not enough to 
warrant publication at the present time. The data secured show, 
however, that these are promising fields of research. 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

These investigations are of more than usual interest, because they 
expand the ideas which have heretofore been held respecting the 
application of agricultural chemistry. To many people agricultural 
chemistry means solely the analyses of soils and fertilizers, whereas 
in its broadest sense it covers the study of the composition of plants 
and animals and the foods which produce them. Agricultural 
chemistry in this sense becomes one of the most important of the 
biological sciences, and as such is now recognized by those who fully 
understand its scope and its possibilities. 

H. W. Wiley, 
Chief of Bureau. 



CONTENTS 



Page. 

Organization of work 11 

Arrangements for collaboration 11 

Preliminary experiment on the effect of storage on sugar content 12 

Methods of analysis 14 

Investigation of 1905 15 

South Carolina 15 

Maryland 16 

New Jersey 18 

Connecticut 19 

Maine 21 

Influence of ripeness on sugar content as judged by taste and by chemical 

analysis 22 

General discussion of data 23 

Summary of average data for 1905 26 

Investigation of 1906 27 

Changes in the organization of the work 27 

Methods of planting and sampling 27 

Florida 28 

South Carolina 30 

Maryland 31 

Connecticut 33 

Maine 35 

General discussion of data 36 

Summary of average data for 1906 38 

Investigation of 1907 38 

Introduction 38 

Florida 38 

South Carolina 40 

Maryland 42 

Connecticut 43 

Maine 45 

General discussion of data 46 

Summary of average data for 1907 47 

Investigation of 1908 47 

Florida 47 

South Carolina 49 

Maryland 51 

Connecticut 52 

Maine 54 

General discussion of data 55 

Summary of average data for 1908 57 

Summary of the iour years' work 57 

General discussion 57 

Distribution of rainfall 62 

General conclusions ' 68 

9 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Page. 
Fig. 1. Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average 

length of day at the different stations, 1905 24 

2. Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average 

length of day at the different stations, 1906 37 

3. Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average 

length of day at the different stations, 1907 46 

4. Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average 

length of day at the different stations, 1908 56 

5. Four years' summary. Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, 

average length of day, and altitude at the different stations 59 

6. Four years' summary. Average percentage of sugar in the corn, sun- 

shine record, rainfall, and latitude of the station 60 

7. Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the 

Florida station 63 

8. Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the 

South Carolina station 64 

9. Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the 

Maryland station 65 

10. Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the 

Connecticut station 66 

11. Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906 and 1908 at the Maine 

station 67 

10 



THE INFLUENCE OF ENYmONMENT ON THE COMPOSI- 
TION OF SWEET COM, 1905-1908. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK. 
ARRANGEMENTS FOR COLLABORATION. 

In beginning the investigation of the effect of environment on the 
composition of sweet corn, the experiment stations of South Carohna, 
Maryland, New Jerse}^, Connecticut, and Maine were asked to coop- 
erate, the following letters being sent to the directors of these stations: 

March 20, 1905. 

Dear Sir: I have requested the Secretary to authorir^e this Bureau to study the 
effect of environment upon the chemical composition of sugar corn, following the 
method pursued in the past five years in connection with the problem of the sugar 
beet. To this end we desire to have a small plat of sugar corn of uniform quality 
planted at several agricultural experiment stations. The plat should not exceed 
one-twentieth of an acre in area. The ordinary careful attention to the preparation 
of the land and to the planting and cultivation will be expected to be given by the 
station. At the proper time, when the corn is in the green state fit for consumption, 
some samples should be harvested, packed under the directions to be furnished by 
this Bureau, and mailed under frank for analysis. The work will not be onerous 
and will be very valuable. We shall expect also a transcription of the meteorolog- 
ical observations for this station every month. * * * 

Having received favorable replies from all of the stations men- 
tioned, the following letter, together with the sample of corn to be 
planted, was sent: 

Dear Sir: In harmony with your agreement to cultivate a plat of sugar corn I am 
sending you under separate cover 4 pounds of sugar-corn seed, "Stowell Evergreen," 
grown in Connecticut. This is a part of the seed which will be planted at various 
stations. I do not think it necessary to offer any suggestions in regard to the char- 
acter of the soil or the method of cultivation which you may practice. The conditions 
under which the work is conducted will determine for each place the character of 
cultivation, etc. I suggest that you make a record of field work as follows: 

1. Character of the soil. 

2. Previous history and cultivation as far as known. 

3. Kind of crop last grown and character of fertilization. 

4. Depth of plowing and method of preparing seed bed. 

5. Date of planting. 

6. Date on which the young plants come up. 

7. Character and kind of fertilization. 

8. Frequency and manner of cultivation. 

9. Date of tasseling. 

10. Date at which corn reaches maturity, suitable for table use. 

11 



12 INFLUENCE OF ENVIEONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

11. Date of complete ripening and hardening of the corn. 

12. Date of first frost, if any. 

13. Date of harvesting of ripened corn. 

14. Yield in stalks and ears per acre. 

15. Meteorological data, including time and amount of rainfall, average tem- 
perature, etc. 

In regard to the sampling for analytical work, subsequent communication will be 
made, and to this end I shall be glad to have you inform me about the time when the 
corn will be ready for table use. Further suggestions will be then made, and probably 
an agent of this Bureau will be present to assist in the sampling. * * * 

After sending the sample of Stowell Evergreen it was decided that 
it would be advisable to use also a corn that ripened earlier, owing to 
the improbability that the variety named would ripen in Maine, and 
the following letter, together with a sample of Crosby corn, was sent 
to the various stations cooperating: 

April 19, 1905. 

Dear Sir: It seems quite probable that the sample of sweet-corn seed which I sent 
you — Stowell Evergreen — will not ripen at the northern stations which are cooperating 
in the experimental work. I ask, therefore, that you plant also a small plat of Crosby 
corn which I am sending herewith, as this will certainly ripen even as far north as Maine. 
I desire, also, to add a word of caution which probably is wholly unnecessary, since 
you doubtless would have avoided any danger of contamination anyway. Do not 
plant the varieties of sweet corn near other varieties, especially of field corn, where 
there can be any danger of mixing the pollen. Only a small area will be necessary 
of this second variety; perhaps one thirty-secondth of an acre will be entirely suffi- 
cient. I am sending you about 2 or 3 pounds of the seed. 

I am informed by those in charge of the seed distribution here that the vitality of 
this Crosby corn is not very high, only about 70 per cent. I therefore suggest that 
youplanttheseedliberallyand then thin down to the proper number of stalks. * * * 

PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENT ON THE EFFECT OF STORAGE ON SUGAR 

CONTENT. 

It was the original intention to have an agent of the Bureau of 
Chemistry visit the various stations when the corn was ripe, harvest 
the necessary amount and, without husking, wrap the ears carefully 
in oiled paper to prevent evaporation of water, and ship the samples 
directly to the Bureau at Washington. Prior to the ripening of the 
corn in South Carolina, samples of green corn were secured on the 
open market, and a study of the effect of storage at room temperatures, 
such as would be encountered in shipping, was made. 

The sugars were determined in a number of the ears and the remain- 
ing ones were moistened, wrapped in oiled paper, weighed, and stored 
at room temperature for thirty-six hours. At the expiration of this 
time they were again weighed and the amount of sugars determined. 
Only a slight loss in weight was observed, as shown by the following 
table, but the sugars showed a marked decrease. On opening the 
stored samples they were found to be sweet, and no trace of fermenta- 
tion could be perceived. 



EFFECT OF STOKAGE ON SUGAR CONTENT. 

Effect on green corn of thirty-six hours' storage at room temperature. 
(June 21 to June 23, 1905.) 



13 



Weight. 


Sugar. 


Before 
storage. 


After 
storage. 


Before 
storage. 


After 
storage. 


Orams. 
239 
237 
236 
225 
231 
251 


Grams. 
236 
235 
233 
223 
226 
244 


Per cent. 
1.70 
1.71 
1.68 
1.49 


Per cent. 
0.95 
1.70 
1.11 
0.47 











a Sample had a sour odor. 

Attention is called to the fact that these analyses were made on 
corn (Adams Early) bought on the market, and which had very 
probably been pulled for a day or more before the work was begun. 
This might account for the low percentage of sugars found before 
storage. More extended studies on this point made at the Maryland 
station on a large number of samples verify the tendency here indi- 
cated for the corn to decrease in sugar content during storage. 

In connection with the problem of shipping the corn from the 
various stations for analysis, and also because of the interest of the 
matter to canners, a further study was made as to the effect of storage 
at various temperatures and under various conditions; that is, husked 
and unhusked, and wrapped in oiled paper. The detailed results of 
this study have been reported by the Maryland station, in coopera- 
tion with which station the work was done.*^ The temperatures 
varied from the normal room temperature of 77° F. (25° C.) to 
refrigerator temperature, 63° F. (17° C). 

In the freshly pulled samples the sugars present were 4.59 and 
4.74 per cent. On standing twenty-four hours at room temperature, 
unhusked, about one-third of the sugars disappeared; after the next 
twenty-four hours another loss was noticed, but when the sugars 
reached 1.80 per cent no further decrease took place. The taste was 
not so good after twenty-four hours as when the sample was first 
pulled. As the time of storage increased, the flavor deteriorated, 
and after ninety-six hours the corn tasted flat and sour and the kernels 
were wrinkled. The data do not show that any material difference 
resulted from husking the ear, wrapping it in oiled paper, or storing 
it in the refrigerator. This is true both of the taste and the per- 
centage of sugars found. The work shows that corn should not be 
pulled until ready for use, and should be put on the market or canned 
with as little delay as possible after gathering. 

o Maryland Agr. Exper. Sta., Bui. 120, Sweet Cora Investigations, 1907. 



14 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 

Owing to the location of some of the cooperating stations, from 
twenty-four to thirty-six hours would elapse between the time the 
samples were picked and their arrival at the Bureau; and if they 
came in the afternoon, sixteen hours more would elapse before work 
on them could be begun. The decrease in the sugar content in 
transition from the field to the laboratory, as shown by the work 
just reviewed, would, of course, give misleading results and defeat 
the object of the investigation; therefore another plan had to be 
devised. The most feasible one seemed to be to have the chemist 
visit each laboratory at the time the corn was ready for harvesting 
and make the analyses there. Accordingly analytical work was 
begun at the South CaroHna station about July 10, 1905. 

The sugar determinations were all made by reduction of alkahne 
copper sulphate weighed as copper suboxid and calculated from this 
to sugars by means of the Munson-Walker tables.'^ To this end, 
enough Fehling solution, as modified by Soxhlet, was made to com- 
plete the determinations at all of the stations, and tliis, together with 
the graduated glassware and weights, was sent to the various stations 
in order to insure uniformity. 

The method employed was one devised at the Maryland experiment 
station for use on dried corn and was found to be satisfactory for 
green sweet corn. In brief it was as follows: 

Remove a sample of the corn, equal to about three rows of kernels, 
pass through a food cutter, then pound in a mortar to break up the 
germs. Wash 16 grams of this macerated sample into a 200-cc 
flask with a 40-per cent boiling alcohol solution; place tliis on a hot 
water bath and boil gently for one hour; cool, make up to mark with 
95 per cent alcohol, shake thoroughly, and allow to settle. Draw 
out 50 cc (4 grams of original sample) of the solution, add about 
50 cc of water, and drive off the alcohol carefully. Wash the 
dealcohohzed solution into a 100-cc flask; add a sufficient quantity 
of neutral lead acetate;^ precipitate the lead with sodium carbonate; 
make up to the mark with distilled water, shake, filter, and take 50 
cc for inversion according to Clerget's method. The reduction was 
then accomphshed by means of the Soxhlet method as outHned in 
Bulletin 107, Revised, of the Bureau of Chemistry, page 43, with the 
exception that recently-boiled distilled water was not added at the 
end of the reduction. 

a U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry, Bui. 107, Rev., p. 243. 
B In dry corn it is necessary to add alumina cream also. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 
INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 



15 



SOUTH CAROLINA. 

At the South CaroHna station the Crosby corn was grown in a field 
of sandy loam which was cleared in 1891 and rotated in corn, cotton, 
cowpeas, oats, and cowpeas. The last crop of oats followed by cow- 
peas was grown in 1904 with a fertiUzation of 600 pounds per acre of 
equal parts of acid phosphate, cotton-seed meal, and kainit. 

In 1905 the ground was plowed to a depth of 8 inches, furrows 
opened 4 feet apart, fertihzer appHed and mixed with the soil, and 
the seed planted April 24, and covered with a plow. The fertihzer 
for this crop was made up of 200 pounds of 14 per cent acid phosphate, 
200 pounds of cotton-seed meal, and 200 pounds of kainit per acre. 
A weeder was used April 28 and May 1 and the plants came up May 5. 
The plat was worked May 9 and 20 and June 12. The corn tasseled 
June 14, and a few ears were ready for table use June 28. 

The meteorological data furnished for Clemson College for the 
growing season in 1905 are as follows: 

Meterological data for Clemson Colltge, S. C, 1905. 



Month. 



April 
May. 
June. 
July. 



Mean 

temper- 
ature. 



"F. 

62.0 

72.2 

77.5 

79.2 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
2.79 
8.65 
1.07 
7.29 



Clear 
days. 



Partly 
cloudy 
days. 



Cloudy 

days. 



Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 1905. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcu- 
lated to 
water- 
free basis. 


235 


Per cent. 
68.80 
68.38 
68.86 
67.30 
63.35 
62.06 
66.55 
65.55 
61.70 


Per cent. 
13.55 
13.18 
12.76 
12.23 
12.46 
12.86 
10.55 
10.65 
11.74 


Per cent. 
43.42 
41.68 
40.97 
37.40 
33.99 
33.90 
31.54 
30.92 
30.66 


2.S3 


230 


237 


234 


231 


238 


232 


236 


Maximum... 

Minimum 

Average 


68.80 
61.70 
65.84 


13.55 
10.55 
12.22 


43.42 
30.66 
36.05 



The Stowell Evergreen was grown on a field of sandy loam on 
wliich corn had been raised in 1900 and 1901, artichokes in 1902 and 
1904, and soy beans in 1903. The fertihzer used in 1904 consisted of 
100 pounds of acid phosphate, 100 pounds of cotton-seed meal, and 
100 pounds of kainit per acre. For the 1905 crop, 2,000 pounds of 
composite per acre were used, consisting of 1,000 pounds of stable 
manure, 600 pounds of cotton-seed meal, and 400 pounds of 14 per 



16 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



cent acid phosphate. The ground was plowed 4 inches deep and 
flushed. The seed was planted April 12, and the plants appeared 
sixteen days later, April 28. A weeder was then used, and the 
ground was gone over with a scraper May 1,10, and 17. On June 15 
the corn tasseled and was ready for the table about July 8. 

The average analysis of the corn grown at the South Carolina 
experiment station shows that the moisture content of the Crosby is 
not nearly so high as that of the Stowell, while the sugar content is 
nearly double, and when calculated to a water-free basis the total 
sugars are still very much higher, indicating a more palatable product. 
The Crosby corn was ready for table use about ten days earlier than 
the Stowell, early ripening constituting another characteristic advan- 
tage of that variety. 

Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Clemson College, S.C., 1905. 



Serial No. 



244 
250 
241 
243 
257 
258 
245 
255 
264 
239 
254 
273 
240 
242 
262 
253 
256 
246 
272 







Sugars 


Moisture. 


Total 


calcu- 
lated to 






water-free 
basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


82.03 


7.29 


40.56 


74.54 


7.15 


28.09 


78.50 


7.94 


36.92 


79.04 


7.09 


33.84 


80.00 


7.35 


36.75 


79.90 


7.13 


35. 47 


80.15 


6.68 


33.65 


75.93 


8.04 


33.40 


77.23 


7.56 


33.65 


77.18 


7.50 


32.86 


79.99 


6.38 


31.88 


71.94 


6.14 


21.87 


74.80 


7.73 


30.67 


75.30 


7.46 


30.19 


76.30 


7.14 


30.13 


79.56 


6.12 


29.94 


73.40 


7.85 


29.51 


79.44 


6.02 


29.28 


76.88 


6.48 


28.03 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 


261 


Per cent. 
73.92 
78.60 
76.16 
76.86 
74.30 
72.39 
70.13 
71.00 
73.50 
74.27 
70.08 
72.05 
69.45 
69.71 
74.07 


Per cent. 
6.99 
5.72 
6.34 
6.13 
6.51 
6.95 
7.40 
7.00 
6.38 
6.08 
6.95 
5.51 
5.61 
5.22 
3.31 


Per cent. 
26.82 
26.73 
26.60 
26.49 
25.33 
25. 18 
24.78 
24.13 
24.07 
23.63 
23.23 
19.72 
18.36 
17.23 
11.21 


248 


252..., 

249 


251 


266 


267 


259 .. 


247 


263 


265 


269 


274 ... 


268 


270 




Maximum.. . 

Minimum 

Average 


82.03 
69.45 
75.54 


8.04 
3.31 
6.68 


40.56 
11.21 
27.95 



Com.parison by weight of the various parts to the whole ear (Stowell Evergreen). 



Serial No. 


Weight of 
entire ear. 


Weight of husk. 


Weight of kernels. 


Weight 
of cob. 


270 


Grams. 
440 
465 
450 
406 
347 
325 


Grams. 
161 
125 
210 


Per cent. 
36.6 
26.9 
46.7 


Grams. 
164 
205 
120 
172 
145 
147 


Per cent. 
37.3 
44.1 
26.7 
42.3 
41.8 
43.7 


Grams. 
115 
135 
120 
125 
115 
75 


271 

272 


273 


103 25. 3 
87 25. 1 
108 33. 2 


274 


275. 


Average 


405.5 


132 


32.3 


158 39. 3 


114 



MARYLAND. 

The field set apart for the sugar-corn w^ork at the Maryland station 
was a plat of clay loam which had not been tilled for the last fifteen 
years. It was plowed about 6 inches deep, harrowed twice, and a 
float was used to break up the clods. No fertilizer was used, and the 
corn was planted April 28. On May 24 and on June 6 and 26 the 
field was worked with a tooth cultivator, and on June 21 it was hoed. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 



17 



The first corn ready for table use ripened about the first week in 
August, and the matured corn was harvested October 1. These data 
apply equally to the Crosby and to the Stowell Evergreen, except 
that the Crosby matured a week earlier than the Stowell. 

The climatic conditions under which tliis corn was grown and the 
analytical data obtained are shown in the following tables : 

Meteorological data for College Park, Md., 1905. 



Month. 


Mean 
temper- 
ature. 


Precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Num- 
ber of 
rains. 


April 


°F. 
55.8 
63.8 
69.8 


Inches. 
2.75 
3.14 

.^77 


20 
25 
21 
19 
19 


6 

5 
5 
4 
11 


5 

4 

7 
9 

7 


May 


June 


July 


76. 6 6. 97 
74. 7. Rfi 


August 









Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at College Park, Md., 1905. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 


318 


Per cent. 

82. 71 
79.00 
81.09 
80.60 
82.08 
80.39 
81.03 
84.28 
79.24 
76.65 
77.30 
78.68 
75.34 


Per cent. 
6.83 
7.62 
6.80 
6. .52 
5. 96 
6.44 
6. 19 
5.00 
5.82 
6.23 
5.07 
5.26 
5.93 


Per cent. 
39.50 
36.28 
35.96 
33.61 
33.27 
32.84 
32.63 
31.81 
28.03 
26.68 
24.97 
24.67 
24.04 


282 


Per cent. 
75.65 
70.67 
78.32 
78.35 
71.97 
74.86 
73.45 
78.98 


Per cent. 
5.52 
6.29 
4.80 
4.53 
5.80 
4.98 
5.26 
3.97 


Per 'cent. 
22.66 
21.45 
22.14 
20.92 
20.69 
19.81 
19.81 
18.89 


291 


290 


288 


283 


305 


311 


317 


289 


281 


319 


308 


321 


314 


313... 


316 


Maximum... 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


312 


84.28 
70.67 
78.13 


7.62 
3.97 
5.78 


39.50 
18.89 
27.18 


280 


315 


307 





Comparison by weight of various parts to the whole ear {Stowell Evergreen). 



Serial No. 


Weight of 
entire ear. 


Weight of husk. 


Weight of kernels. 


Weight of 
cob. 


307 


Grams. 
5G5 
519 
495 
475 
447 
445 
445 
430 
427 
408 
395 
368 
363 
350 
330 
325 
285 


Grams. 
133 
129 
120 
185 
187 
115 
145 
195 
135 
121 
115 
103 
88 
140 
124 
89 
73 


Per cent. 
23.54 

■ 24.86 
24.24 
38.95 
41.84 
25.84 
32.58 
45.35 
31.62 
29.66 
29.11 
27.99 
24.24 
40.00 
37.58 
27.38 
25.61 


Grams. 
267 
210 
210 
150 
130 
195 
180 
107 
150 
142 
155 
130 
147 
95 
96 
136 
87 


Per cent. 
47.26 
40.46 
42.42 
31.58 
29.08 
43.82 
40.45 
24.88 
35.15 
34.80 
39.24 
35.33 
40.50 
27.14 
29.09 
41.85 
30.53 


Grams. 
165 
180 
165 
140 
130 
136 
120 
128 
142 
145 
125 
135 
128 
115 
110 
100 
125 


313 


305 


289 


283 


306 


282 


288. 


312 


308 


280. 


311 


315 


281 


291 


290 


314 


Average 


416 


129 


31.01 


152 


36.54 


135 



The meteorological data show a normal rainfall for April, May, and 
June, but for the months of July and August, when the ears were 
forming, the precipitation was excessive, the average for these months 
4925— Bull. 127—09 2 



18 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIEONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



for a period of twenty-six years being 4.7 and 4 inches, respectively. 
The number of clear days was not so great during July and August 
as for the previous months. 

A very poor crop of the Crosby com was secured. Aside from- the 
low vitality, the wire worm destroyed a large percentage of the young 
plants, and no analyses were made of this variety. The Stowell 
Evergreen showed more variation here than in South Carolina. The 
plants were much larger and stronger and the yield considerably 
greater. In South Carolina the ears were much injured by worms, 
while in Maryland very little trouble from this cause was experienced. 

NEW JERSEY. 

The soil on which the corn was grown at the New Jersey station 
was a light, gravelly loam on which a crop of corn had been grown in 
1904. In preparing the ground it was plowed and harrowed, and the 
seed was planted May 10. At intervals of about ten days it was culti- 
vated and hoed, and the green corn was ready for table use about 
September 6. The yield was only half a crop, and the matured com 
was harvested October 15. Tables showing the meteorological and 
analytical data for the season follow : 

Meteorological data for New Brunswick, N. J., 1905. 



Month. 



May 

June 

July 

August 

September 



Mean 
temper- 
ature. 



°F. 



61.2 
68.3 
74.6 
70.9 
65.0 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
1.83 
1.83 
4.23 
4.96 
4.06 



Clear 
days. 



Partly 
cloudy. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen com grown at New Brunswick, N. J. , 1905. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


420 


Per cent. 
73.04 
71.74 
72. 65 
69.62 
79.35 
69.96 
68.34 
66.99 
71.53 
69.84 
72.12 
69.21 
69.94 
72.79 
70.15 
68. 24 
59.42 
69.75 
68.23 


Per cent. 
6.00 
5.89 
5.53 
5.59 
3.79 
5.20 
5.44 
5.07 
4.61 
4.85 
4.07 
4.37 
4.23 
3.79 
4.13 
4.37 
5.55 
4.13 
4.15 


Per cent. 
22.26 
20.84 
20.22 
18.37 
18. 35 
17.51 
17.18 
16.89 
16.19 
16. 07 
14.59 
14.19 
14.07 
13.92 
13.84 
13.76 
13.67 
13.66 
13.07 


418 


Per cent. 
71.67 
70.62 
69.14 
68.94 
69.64 
66.79 
67.62 
70.91 
67.47 
63.12 
66.34 
71.14 
62.01 
67.91 


Per cent. 
3.63 
3.74 
3.91 
3.90 
3.66 
3.94 
3.79 
3.32 
3.68 
4.13 


Per cent. 
12.82 
12.73 
12.66 
12.55 
12.04 
11.86 
11.71 
11.42 
11.31 
11 19 


427 


417 


421 


432 .. . . 


414 


422 


426 


435 


437 


408 


419 


425 


440 


416 


423 


411 


428 


438 . ... 


433 


430 


3.34 1 9. 92 1 


434 


412 


2.69 
3.49 
2.72 


9.32 
9.19 
8.45 


409 


4Z<\ 


429 


413 


431 


Maximum . . 
Minimum... 
Average 


410 


73.04 
59.42 
69.28 


6.00 
2.69 
4.26 


22.26 
8.45 
14.12 


424 


415 


439 





INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 
Comparison of weight of ear and various parts (Stowell Evergreen). 



19 



Serial No. 


Weight 
of entire 

ear. 


Weight of husk. 


Weight of Icernels. 


Weight 
of cob. 


369 


Grams. 
445 
425 
407 
404 
338 
335 
310 


Grams. 
160 
129 
142 
149 
76 
120 
112 


Per cent. 
35.96 
30.35 
34.89 
36.88 
22.49 
35.82 
36.13 


Grams. 
177 
152 
131 
152 
191 
125 
91 


Per cent. 
39.77 
35.76 
32.18 
37.62 
56.51 
37.31 
29.35 


Grams. 
118 
144 
134 
103 
71 
90 
107 


377 

367 


368. 


370 


371 

378. 


Average 


381 


126 


33.11 


146 


38.26 


110 



The meteorological data show a dry period during the principal 
growing months, but an abundant rainfall during the period of 
maturing, the total precipitation being nearly 20 per cent below the 
average. Mr. Halstead, of the New Jersey station, has called 
attention to the fact that the summer season was quite unusual, the 
drought being so severe that the corn crop on the station farm was 
reduced fully one-half and practically no corn of the Crosby variety 
matured. The Stowell Evergreen did not reach nearly the growth 
of stalks or ears in New Jersey that it did in Maryland or Connecticut, 
and the sugar content was much lower than at any other station. 



CONNECTICUT. 

About one-twentieth of an acre on the Connecticut station grounds 
was devoted to the experimental sweet com. The soil is a light, sandy 
loam and had been used previously for garden vegetables. The 
plat was plowed, harrowed, and fertilized with stable manure. The 
seed was planted May 12, and the field was kept entirely free from 
weeds by the use of a horse cultivator supplemented by hand hoeing. 
The corn was ready for table use on August 24. 

The climatic conditions existing at New Haven are shown by the 
following table: 

Meteorological data for New Haven, Conn., 1905. 



Month. 



May . . . 
June... 
July... 
August 



Mean 
temper- 
ature. 



°F. 
57.6 
65.5 
73.0 
68.5 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
1.18 
5.87 
2.86 
7.20 



Clear 



Cloudy 
days. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



20 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



The precipitation was not very evenl}^ distributed, being low in 
May, when the com was planted, and excessive during the early 
growing stages and the maturing period. 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Neiv Haven, Conn., 1905. 









Sugars cal- 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


culated to 
water-free 








basis. 




Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


373 


81.01 


9.44 


49.71 


372 


76.51 


9.14 


38.90 


366 


76.33 


7.09 


29.97 


375 


71.50 


8.20 


28.77 


365 


75.10 


6.59 


26.47 


364 


62.44 


7.42 


19.75 


374 

Maximum . . 


68.23 


6.21 


19.54 


81.01 


9.44 


49.71 


Minimum.. . 


62.44 


6.21 


19.54 


Average 


73.01 


7.73 


30.44 



Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at New Haven, Conn., 1905. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 

basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


388 


Per cent. 
81.39 
82.27 
74.26 
80.93 
74.70 
78.09 
79.47 
80.10 
72.43 
78.43 
77.14 
71.49 
77.14 
71.23 
75.87 
71.18 
77.18 
75.91 


Per cent. 
5.92 
5.42 
7.50 
5.28 
6.93 
5.95 
5.52 
5.18 
6.97 
5.41 
5.73 
6.69 
5.36 
6.45 
5.35 
6,22 
4.83 
5.09 


Percent. 
31.81 
30.56 
29.14 
27.70 
27.39 
27.15 
26. S9 
26.02 
25.28 
25.07 
25.06 
23.46 
23.44 
22.42 
22.17 
21.57 
21.16 
21.12 


396 


Per cent. 
70.26 
72.41 
73.09 
71.42 
76.35 
72.83 
69.54 
73.39 
69.44 
69.63 
74.90 
70.46 
70.18 


Per cent. 
6.24 
5.59 
5.29 
5.41 
4.33 
4.76 
4.72 
4.03 
4.47 
4.41 
3.45 
4.00 
3.75 


Per cent. 
20.98 
20.26 
19.66 
18.93 
18.31 
17.51 
15.49 
15.14 
14.63 
14.52 
13.76 
13.54 
12.58 


368 


387 


386 


383 


402 


404 


397 


395 


385 


390 


405 


391 


380 


370 


382 


399 


371 


384 


379... 


403 


394 


407 


398 


401 




Maximum. . 
Minimum . . 
Average 


393 


82.27 
69.44 
74.62 


7.50 
3.45 
5.36 


31.81 
12.58 
21.70 


406 


369 


392 





The average sugar content of the Crosby corn for 1905 was much 
above that for the Stowell Evergreen, but this was also true at each 
of the other stations. The general condition of the crop was better 
at Connecticut than at any other places, and no worms or weevils 
-Were present. 

The moisture content of the Stowell Evergreen was very near that 
for the South Carolina station, jet the sugar content was much 
lower, Connecticut standing third in percentage of sugars for this 
variety. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 



21 



MAINE. 

The piece of land selected for the corn experunents at the Maine 
station was a plat of clay loam consisting of one-twentieth of an acre 
which had been used for garden vegetables. It was fertilized with a 
mixture containing 3 per cent of nitrogen, 6 per cent of phosphoric 
acid, and 8 per cent of potash. The seeds were planted June 15, cul- 
tivated with a spike-tooth cultivator at intervals of ten days, and 
hoed as often as was necessary to keep the plat free from weeds. 
The green corn was ready for table use about September 15, and 
the mature corn was harvested October 14. The Stowell Evergreen 
failed to mature before a killing frost. That portion grown on land 
which had been devoted to cabbages the previous year was small 
and inferior. The rest was fair and typical of the variety. Follow- 
ing are the tables of meteorological and analytical data: 

Meteorological dalafor Orono, Me., 1905. 



Month 


Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 


Precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Fair 
days. 


Num- 
ber of 
rains. 


June 

July 

August 

September.. 


60.6 
68.6 
64.0 
57.6 


Inches. 
3.13 
2.19 
2.13 
3.19 


10 
10 
12 
13 


17 
6 
7 

15 


3 
15 
12 

2 


7 
6 
7 
11 



Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Orono, Me., 1905. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


443 


Per cent. 
82.83 
82.43 
84.11 
83.15 
81.81 
83.99 
80.05 
82.27 
80.37 
82.49 
80.47 
78.26 
79.66 
78.70 


Per cent. 

7.82 
7.95 
6.76 
7.08 
7.10 
6.21 
7.40 
6.55 
7.03 
6.14 
6.50 
6.86 
6.26 
6.45 


Per cent. 
45.55 
45.24 
42.60 
42.02 
39.04 
38.78 
37.09 
36.94 
35.81 
35.06 
33.29 
31.56 
30.77 
30.29 


448 


Per cent. 
79.13 

78.76 
79.71 
78. 56 
77. 42 
77.83 
74.49 
72.73 
69.77 
74.29 


Per cent. 
5.95 
6.02 
5.62 
5.82 
5.93 
6.73 
6.40 
6.48 
6.15 
4.82 


Per cent. 
28.50 
38.33 
27.70 
27.14 
22.26 
30.35 
25.08 
23.77 
20.34 
18.75 


464 


446 


453 


447 


451 


450 


445 


459 


444 

461 


460 


449 


465 


463 


455... 


456 


454 


458 


Maximum. . . 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


462 ... 


84.11 
67.77 
79.30 


7.95 
4.82 
6.50 


45.55 
18.75 
32.76 


457 

442 





The rainfall at this station was less than in any of the other States, 
and the mean temperature lower, but the season appears to have 
been typical of the locality. The corn did not make nearly so good 
a growth at the Maine station as it did in Maryland or Connecticut, 
more nearly resembling the South Carolina corn in appearance. The 
percentage of sugars, however, was higher than that for the Con- 
necticut station and lower than for the South Carolina corn. 



22 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



INFLUENCE OF RIPENESS ON SUGAR CONTENT AS JUDGED BY TASTE 
AND BY CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. 

Samples were taken of the corn when it was in the watery, milky, 
and creamy stages of ripeness and a difference of 42 per cent was 
found between the highest and lowest percentages of sugar. In the 
watery stage a maximum of 54 per cent of sugar was found, and in 
the advanced creamy stage as low as 12 per cent of sugar, calculated 
to a water-free basis. As there is no absolute method of determin- 
ing the state of ripeness of the corn, great care should be exercised 
in selecting the ears, and it is necessary to gather a large number of 
samples in order to secure comparable results. To afford a com- 
parison of each day's work, the following determinations were made: 

Moisture and sugar content of Stowell Evergreen corn on different dates. 
SOUTH CAROLINA. 



Date. 



July 17. 
July 18. 
July 19. 
July 20. 
July 21. 







Sugars cal- 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


culated to 

water-free 

basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


11. ^b 


6.98 


31.88 


76.28 


6.45 


27.31 


75.84 


7.35 


33.40 


73.87 


6.80 


26.18 


71.90 


6.82 


24.75 



MARYLAND. 



July 31... 
August 1 . 
August 3. 
August 4. 



77.91 


5.86 


25.65 


75.68 


0.63 


28.59 


78.85 


5.63 


27.10 


81.34 


6.20 


33.60 



Taking into consideration the fact that a great variation in sugar 
content occurs even when the ears are in the same state of ripeness, 
these figures show a very close average for the individual days, and 
are indicative of satisfactory sampling. 

An effort was made to determine whether any relation exists 
between the taste of the corn and the percentage of sugars present. 
In order to accomplish this, ears which were pulled for analyses were 
tasted by two men and were rated, using as a scale the numbers 
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the highest number being used for the sweetest 
corn. The figures by the two tasters for each ear were averaged when 
they disagreed and marked opposite the serial number assigned the 
ear, and after completing the analyses it was possible to compare 
the rating thus obtained with that secured by analysis. The aver- 
ages are given in the following table : 



INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 

Sugar content by chemical analysis and as indicated by taste. 

[Sweetness to taste expressed by figures from 5 to 10.] 

NEW JERSEY. 



23 



Number of sam- 
ples averaged. 


Sweetness 
by taste. 


Total 
sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


2 


9 

8 
7 
6 
5 


Per cent. 
18.46 
15.25 
13.55 
11.25 
10.88 


3 


2 


5 


6 .... 





CONNECTICUT. 



2 


9 

8 

6 


26.80 
22.24 
19.53 
15.34 


5 


3 


4 



MAINE. 



9 


10 
9 

8 
7 


34.86 
24.93 
2.'). 49 
20.34 


5 


2 


7 





It will be noted that w^ien the factor expressing the sweetness 
increased the sugar content also increased, one exception to this 
occurring in Maine, where the taste test was marked 8, and 25.49 
per cent of sugar was found, while the next one, having a grade of 9, 
contained only 24.93 per cent. It will also be noted that the sample 
graded 8 by taste represented an average of only two ears, and as 
only a few were tasted each day it might have been that these w^ere 
tried at the same time w'ith some that were very low^ in sugar, having, 
for instance, a mark of 5, thereby giving these a higher mark than 
they w^ould have obtained had they been compared w^ith a very sweet 
sample graded 10. As this is the only exception at any station, it 
would not seem to detract from the accuracy of the method of sam- 
pling by tasting. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF DATA. 

The w^ork on storage shows the necessity of more care in handling 
the corn for the market, inasmuch as the sugar content decreased, 
when held at room temperature for thirty-six hours, from 4.67 to 
1.60 per cent after picking. 

The comparison of ratings by taste with the percentage of sugars 
determined analytically shows that the two methods give comparable 
results and there seems to be a possibility of selecting and breeding 
corn by tasting some ears from each row, and thereby selecting seed 
ears from the row of corn having the highest sugar content. 

One of the most interesting facts show^n is the great variation in 
the percentage of kernels as compared with the rest of the ear. It 



24 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



seems that these observations may also be used to good effect in 
breeding a corn low in cob and husk percentage and high in kernel 
percentage. Another point is the wide variation of sugar content 
found in the individual ears, the highest percentage of sugar in the 
Stowell Evergreen corn being 40.56 per cent and the lowest 8.45 per 
cent of the total dry matter. In the Crosby variety a maximum of 
45.55 per cent and a minimum of 19.54 per cent were found. 

The general effect of environment on the sugar content of the corn 
is best represented by the graphic charts, and from a study of these, 
together with the preceding data, the following conclusions have 
been reached: 

In figure 1 are platted the percentages of sugars in the two varieties 
of corn, the temperature, the altitude, and the average length of day 



^K 

^b 

Feet 
1000 
900 
800 
700 
600 
500 
400 
300 
200 
100 







PCt 
34 
32 
30 
28 
26 
24 
22 
20 
18 
16 
14 



£'X/=>L>9/Vj4T/ON: 

Sc/G/i/f /A/ CfiosBY Corn r£MP£R/iru/?E 

Sugar iNSroweu £v£P6R££n Corn Alt/tud£ 



Avef^AGB LEA/GTH OF DAY - 



s.c. 



Md. 



N.J. 



CO/VM 



M€. 




s.c. 



Md. 



N.J. 



Conn. Me. 



53 

lO is 

\ I 

1410 
I4.C0 
13.50 
13.40 
1330 



Fig. 1.— Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average length of day at the 

different stations, 1905. 

at the several stations. There is a wide difference in the percentage 
of sugar present in the two varieties, the lowest average sugar content 
for the Crosby variety (30.44 per cent at New Haven) being 2.49 per 
cent higher than the maximum average for the Stowell Evergreen 
variety, that at Clemson College. In both varieties the highest per- 
centage of sugars is found at the South Carolina station, while New 
Jersey has the lowest percentage for the Stowell Evergreen, and New 
Haven the lowest for the Crosby. The Maine corn is only 3.29 per 
cent below South Carolina for the Crosby variety. The Maryland 
station figures are only slightly below those for South Carolina, and 
Connecticut is about half way between Maryland and New Jersey for 
the Stowell Evergreen. 

In studying these variations it must be remembered that the 
character of the soils and the differences in fertilization should be 



INVESTIGATION OF 1905. 25 

considered. There is a great difference in the texture of the soils, 
although all seemed suited to the growing of corn. Three of the 
plats, those in South Carolina, Connecticut, and Maine, were fertil- 
ized, and the Maryland field had lain fallow for a number of years. 
Previous studies, however, indicate that these factors chiefly influence 
yield rather than composition of the crop. 

There appears to be some relation between the percentage of sugar 
and the degree of latitude, though this is evidently not the dominant 
factor, and the results tend to overthrow the idea that corn grown in 
a southern latitude is not so sweet as that grown farther north. 
Although there are exceptions, it may be said that the sugar content 
generally varies inversely with the latitude — that is, the percentage 
of sugar is lower in the higher or more northern latitude. The excep- 
tion in Maine may be partly due to the altitude and to the fact that 
the Crosby corn, which alone was grown there, is a variety marked 
by high sugar content. 

The fact pointed out by the Bureau of Chemistry in the work on 
the sugar beet '^ and also demonstrated in studies made by Dr. O. 
Vibrans, that unobstructed sunshine is not necessary to the devel- 
opment of sugar in the beet, also seems to hold true with sugar corn. 
In the table giving a summary of meteorological data for 1905 it 
will be noticed that the percentage of sunshine is at its minimum at 
the Maryland station, yet the sugar content is the second highest, and 
the New Jersey station, with the lowest percentage of sugar, is as 
high as any other station in percentage of sunshine recorded. At the 
Maine station the clear days are few, and the cloudy and partly cloudy 
days are in the majority. Contrary to what might be expected from 
the previous study of the sugar beet, a high temperature and a low 
sugar content do not occur together, the opposite relation apparently 
existing. 

The figures for the average length of day for the season in general 
follow those for sugar content; the longer the day the higher the 
percentage of sugar, as would be expected, the only notable exception 
to this being South Carolina, where the apparent deviations from the 
general rule may be partly explained by the altitude, the highest 
altitude and the lowest latitude being found at that station. Clemson 
College is 850 feet above sea level; College Park is only 56 feet above 
sea level. With the exception of the South Carolina station, only a 
slight variation in altitude exists at the other stations. 

As has been already stated, the lack of rainfall may have a decided 
effect on the sugar content. This is especially evident at the New 
Jersey station, where the rainfall during the first two growing months 
was inadequate, stunting the corn to such an extent that the Crosby 
variety did not mature at all. The rainfall in South Carolina during 
the month of June was very small, but the deficiency occurred at a 

oU. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry, Bulletin 78, p. 42, 



26 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIKONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



time when the com was far enough advanced to resist any detri- 
mental effect. 

The data for total precipitation and for sugar content are more 
nearly comparable than any other, but the distribution of rainfall is 
undoubtedly of more importance than the total amount, the disas- 
trous effects of insufficient rainfall during May and June being strik- 
ingly shown in the case of the New Jersey station, even though the 
precipitation was normal in July, August, and September. 

SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DATA FOR 1905. 

Analytical data. 



Station. 



Clemson College, S. C. 

College Park, Md 

New Brunswick, N.J. 

New Haven, Conn 

Orono, Me 



Variety of com. 



Crosby. 



Moisture. 



Per cent. 
65.84 



73.01 
79.30 



Total sugars. 



Original 
sample. 



Per cent. 
12.22 



7.73 
6.50 



Calcu- 
lated to 

water- 
free basis, 



Per cent. 
36.05 



30.44 
32.76 



Stowell Evergreen. 



Moisture. 



Per cent. 
75.54 
78.13 
69.28 
74.62 



Total sugars. 



Original 
sample. 



Per cent. 
6.68 
6.78 
4.26 
5.36 



Calcu- 
lated to 

water- 
free basis. 



Per cent. 
27.95 
27.18 
14.12 
21.70 



Meteorological data. 



Station. 



Clemson College, S. C 

College Park, Md 

New Brunswick, N.J 

New Haven, Conn 

Orono, Me 



Tempera- 
ture. 



°F. 
72.7 
67.6 
68.0 
66.2 
62.7 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
19.80 
24.49 
16.91 
17.11 
10.64 



Clear 
days. 



H04 
87 
45 
45 



Cloudy 
days. 



Partly 
cloudy 
days. 



Sun- 
shine. 



Per cent. 

a 61 

<;52 

<?61 

60 



a Per cent of sunshine for Atlanta, Ga. 
b Partly cloudy days included. 



c Per cent of sunshine for Washington, D. C. 
d Per cent of sunshine for Philadelphia, Pa. 



Geodetic data.(i 



Station. 



Clemson College, S. C. 

College Park, Md 

New Bninswick, N. J. 

New H aven. Conn 

Orono, Me 

Lake City, Fla 

Gainesville, Fla 



Period, inclusive. 



April- August 

May-August 

May-September.. 

do 

June-September. 

March-June 

do 



Average 


length of 


day. 


h. 


m. 


13 


41 


14 


11 


13 


55 


13 


59 


14 


9 


13 





13 






Latitude. 



34 40 47 

38 59 00 

40 29 35 

41 18 25 
44 54 00 
30 13 00 
29 39 00 



Altitude. 



Feet. 

850 

56 

117 

107 

115 

*201 

6 175 



a These data were furnished by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
b From the monthly report of the United States Weather Bureau. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1906. , 27 

INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 
CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK. 

At the opening of the season of 1906 the Bureau of Plant Industry 
signified its desire to cooperate in the work on sweet corn, the object 
being to improve the quality of the product with special reference to 
increasing the sugar content and securing varieties adapted to differ- 
ent sections of the country. The results on the breeding work and the 
adaptation of varieties, in accordance with the understanding between 
the two Bureaus, will be interpreted by the Bureau of Plant Indus- 
try, while the effect produced by the environment on the composition 
of the corn is published by the Bureau of Chemistry as being a purely 
chemical study. 

It was thought desirable, owing to the results obtained at the South 
Carolina station during the season of 1905, to extend the work to 
Florida. A letter was accordingly sent to each of the following- 
named experiment stations: Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, New 
Jersey, Connecticut, and Maine. Favorable replies were received 
from all except the New Jersey station, where all the land adapted to 
these investigations had been allotted to other experiments. 

METHODS OF PLANTING AND SAMPLING. 

One object of the work being to secure com having a high sugar 
content, it was decided to plant the corn by the ear-to-row method and 
to analyze a number of ears from each row, the seed from the row 
averaging the highest in sugar content to be selected, taking into 
consideration the form of the ear, the yield per row, etc. 

The method of selecting seed corn followed at the Maryland experi- 
ment station during the season of 1905 indicates which ears have the 
highest sugar content at the edible stage, and also whether any rela- 
tion exists between sugar content of the green corn and the dried seed. 
The plan in brief was to draw the husk back from a portion of the ear, 
remove two or three rows of kernels, replace the husk carefully, tie a 
paper bag over the entire ear to prevent injury by insects or rain, and 
allow the ear to mature, which it did without any apparent injurious 
effect. This sample was analyzed and compared with one taken 
from the ear when fully ripe to determine whether there is any corre- 
lation between the amount of sugar in the green (edible) ear and the 
dried seed. 

In accordance with this plan two varieties of corn were secured 
from New York State by the Bureau of Plant Industry and ears 
suited to the purpose were selected. The ears were all given a serial 
number, and samples were taken from them for analysis. Twenty 
ears of each variety, which had been sampled and analyzed, were sent 
to each station with instructions for planting, keeping of meteoro- 
logical data, etc. 



28 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



The work of the previous year had demonstrated the fact that very 
rapid changes take place in the sugars soon after removing the kernels 
from the cob; and as the plats were located at distances from the 
laboratory varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile and a half, this, 
together with the necessity of analyzing a large number of samples, 
required some change in the mode of analytical work. It was finally 
decided to work in a wall tent pitched as near the plat of corn as 
possible, prepare the sample, weigh out the portion to be used, and 
heat this to boiling with a 40 per cent alcoholic solution for two hours, 
so that the sugars would not only l^e extracted but any changes in 
them would be rendered impossible. The samples could then be set 
aside until the end of the day, before being taken to the laboratory, 
made to a definite volume, and an aliquot kept until the determination 
could be completed. 

FLORIDA. 

A sandy soil, upon which corn had previously been grown, was used 
at the Florida station for the Crosby corn. The ground was prepared 
by plowing 4 inches deep with an ordinary two-horse plow, and 
fertilized to the extent of 300 pounds per acre with fertilizer con- 
taining 3 per cent of ammonia, 6 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 8 
per cent of potash. The date of planting was March 17, the corn 
coming up March 30. The plants were cultivated twice — April 16 
with a five-tooth cultivator and on April 24 with a weeder. The corn 
tasseled on May 7, reached the stage suitable for table use May 29, 
and was ready for seed harvest June 27. 

The Stowell Evergreen corn was also grown on a sandy soil which 
for three years prior to this had been planted in northern varieties of 
corn and on which fertilizer containing 4 per cent of ammonia, 6 per 
cent of phosphoric acid, and 8 per cent of potash had been applied at 
the rate of 300 pounds per acre. The ground was prepared in the 
same way as for the Crosby corn, and the character of the fertilization 
was identical with that given for the previous crops. The dates of 
planting and coming up and the dates and methods of cultivation 
were the same as for the Crosby corn. The first tassels appeared 
May 9, the corn was ready for table use June 2, and the matured seed 
was in a condition to harvest July 4. 

The meteorological and analytical data for this station follow : 

Meteorological data for Lake City, Fla., 1906. 



Month. 


Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 


Precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 

days. 


Partly 
cloudy. 


Cloudy 
days. 


March 


61.2 

68.7 
73.6 
80.6 


Inches. 
2.78 
1.70 
9.96 
8.22 


8 
17 
8 

1 


8 
5 
10 
24 


15 
8 

13 
5 


April 


May 

June 





INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 29 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Lake City, Fla., 1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


201-1-1 


Per cent. 
62.15 
67.84 
67.50 
68.03 
70.17 
60.87 
68.00 
72.04 
73.69 
62.45 
67.00 
67.40 
61.94 


Per cent. 
5.20 
4.53 
5.83 
4.43 
7.43 
3.20 
4.22 
4.90 
4.19 
3.99 
5.37 
5.64 
5.62 


Per cent. 
13.74 
14.08 
16.59 
14.01 
24.91 
8.11 
13.80 
17.52 
15.92 
10.63 
16.27 
17.30 
14.76 


201-11-1. 


Per cent. 
64.60 
67.78 
62.56 
73.67 
69.58 
72.38 
69.22 
67.56 


Per cent. 
4.46 
6.39 
3.98 
5.48 
4.96 
4.88 
5.54 
4.90 


Per cent. 
12.60 
19.83 • 
10.63 
20.81 
16.30 
17.67 
18.00 
15.11 


201-2-1 


201-12-1 


201-3-1 


201-14-1 


201-4-1 


201-15-1 


201-5-1 


201-16-1 . 


201-6-1 


201-17-1 


201-7-1 


201-19-1 


201-8-1 


201-19 2 


201 9 1 


Ma:7iinum.. . 
Minimum. . . 
Average 


201-10-1 

201-9-2 


73.69 
61.94 
67.11 


7.43 
3.20 
5.01 


24.91 
8.11 
15.64 


201-9-3 


201-9-4 





Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Lake City, Fla., 1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 

sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


202-1-1 


Per cent. 
72.89 
73.00 
71.93 
73.80 
72.98 
72.90 
68.90 
69.67 
69.68 
70.40 
74.36 
66.54 
70.43 
71.64 
70.03 
70.83 
73.66 
72.52 
72.90 
73.03 
71.35 
67.95 
68.20 
69.16 
71.82 
75.75 
69.08 
73.68 
72.58 
66.81 
64.18 
05.49 
72.28 
72.70 
72.80 
70.70 


Per cent. 
5.64 

3.87 
4.03 
4.83 
2.88 
4.25 
4.10 
4.55 
4.33 
3.89 
3.43 
4.10 
3.80 
2.08 
2.91 
2.49 
5.66 
6.10 
3.16 
4.97 
3.38 
3.57 
3.40 
3.45 
5.23 
5.91 
3.17 
3.93 
4.56 
3.03 
3.93 
3.78 
3.70 
3.47 
3.52 
3.25 


Per cent. 
20.80 
14.33 
14.36 
18.43 
10.67 
15. 09 
13.18 
15.00 
14.10 
13.14 
13.38 
13.74 
12.85 
7.33 
9.70 
8.54 
21.49 
22.20 
11.66 
18.43 
11.79 
11.14 
10.69 
11.19 
18.56 
24.37 
10.26 
14.90 
16.63 
10.94 
10.97 
10.95 
13.35 
12.71 
12.94 
11.09 


202-5-5 


Per cent. 
72.12 

68.49 
69.48 
65.57 
67. 85 
62.36 
69.83 
62.02 
64.74 
72.48 
70.72 
77.14 
78.44 
74.69 
69.16 
71.12 
70.14 
70.72 
71.36 
66.92 
72.26 
70.50 
69.56 
66.44 
51.99 
64.62 
70.31 
82.62 
66.46 
74.54 
66.68 


Per cent. 
3.48 
4.96 
5.59 
3.97 
4.84 
4.12 
4.30 
3.39 
3.93 
4.18 
4.39 
3.37 
4.74 
4.17 
2.85 
5.00 
3.92 
5.14 
4.33 
3.46 
5.00 
4.77 
5.09 
3.76 
3.23 
4.20 
4.48 
2.62 
5.20 
3.91 
3.61 


Per cent. 
12.44 
15.74 
18.32 
11.53 
15.05 
10.94 
14.25 

8.92 
11.14 
15.19 
14.99 
14.74 
21.98 
16.48 

9.24 
17.31 
13.13 
17.55 
15.14 
10.46 
18.04 
14.07 
16.74 
11.20 

6.73 
11.90 
15.09 
15.07 
15.50 
15.36 
11.52 


202-1-2 


202-15-1 


202-1-3 


202-15-2.. .. 


202-1-4 


202-15-3 


202-1-5 


202-15-4 


202-1-6 


202-6-1 


202-11-1 

202-11-2 

202-11-3 

202-2-1 


202-6-2 


202-6-3 


202-6-4 


202-19-1 

202-19-2. . 


202-2-2 


202-2-3 


202-19-3 


202-2-4 

202-12-1 

202-12-2 

202-12-3 

202-3-1 

202-3-2 


202-19-4 


202-19-5 


202-7-1 


202-7-2 


202-7-3 


202-20-1 


202-3-3 


202-20-2 


202-3-4 


202-20-3... . 


202-13-1 

202-13-2 

202-13-3 

202-13-4 

202-4-1 


202-20-4 


202-8-1 


202-8-2 


202-8-3 


202-8-4 . . . 


202-4-2 


202-8-5 


202-4-3 


202-20-5 


202-4-4 


202-9-1 


202-4-5 


202-9-2 


202-14-1 

202-14-2 

202-14-3 

202-5-1 


202-9-3 


202-10-1 


Maximum... 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


82.62 
51.99 
70.27 


6.10 
2.08 
4.07 


24.37 
6.73 
13.94 


202-5-2 


202-5-3 


202-5-4 





The total rainfall for 1906 was far above the normal amount for 
the growing season. For the week previous _to the harvesting of the 
corn there were five rainfalls recorded, and during the harvest period 
occupying one week rain fell four times, the rains being heavy. On 



30 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIKONMENT ON SWEET COKN. 



the second day of harvest 2.97 inches of rain fell, on the third day 
1.4 inches, on the sixth day 0.84 inch, and on the seventh day 1.12 
inches. Such heavy precipitation would probably tend to produce 
a corn with low total sugar content. 

Florida stood last in percentage of sugars as compared with the 
other stations for the Stowell Evergreen and next to last for the 
Crosby. Both varieties of corn were attacked by the worms and 
weevils. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

The field used for growing the sweet corn at the South Carolina 
station was a plat of sandy loam — about one-tenth of an acre. A 
complete fertilizer was used, 400 pounds to the acre. The corn did 
not make a very vigorous growth, and the ears themselves were small 
and inferior, although the analytical data show a high percentage 
of sugar. The Crosby corn reached the edible state July 17 and the 
Stowell on July 24. 

Meteorological data for Clemson College, S. C, 1906. 



Month. 



April 

May. 
June. 
July. 



Mean 

tempera- 
ture. 



F. 

63.0 
69.0 
76.8 
77.5 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
1.89 
2.74 
5.67 
17.77 



Clear 
days. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Partly 
cloudy. 



The number of clear days for April to July, inclusive, at Clemson 
College was 67, which was less than in 1905, when 80 clear days 
were recorded. The total number of inches of rainfall was less than 
for 1905, and was very unevenly distributed; most of it fell during 
a period when it seemed to affect the corn more. During the five 
days previous to harvesting the corn three rains fell, on the following 
dates: July 14, 0.9 inch; July 15, 3.06 inches; and July 16, 0.3 inch. 
On July 17, the day on which harvest began, 1.35 inches fell; July 
18, 0.1 inch; July 19, 1.26 inches; July 21, 1.23 inches; July 23, 1.25 
inches; and on July 25, the last day upon which any samples were 
pulled, 2.1 inches. This heavy rainfall undoubtedly would cause a 
decrease in the usual amount of sugars stored. Both varieties of corn 
were inferior in yield and quality to the crops of 1905. 

As the corn was very late in ripening, and the crop at the Maryland 
station was ready for harvesting, only a few analyses of the Crosby 
variety were made at Clemson College. The data obtained for both 
varieties are as follows: 



INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 31 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars cal- 
culated to 
water-free 
basis. 


204-1-1 


Per cent. 
81.57 
75.35 
75.70 
78.11 
73.14 


Per cent. 
4.69 
4.55 
5.03 
4.34 
5.04 


Per cent. 
25.45 
18.46 
20.70 
19.83 
18.76 


204-2-1 


204-3-1 


204-4-1 


204-5-1 




Maximum.. 
Minimum. . 
Average.... 


81.57 
73.14 

76.77 


5.04 
4.34 
4.73 


25. 45 
18.46 
20.64 



Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Clemson College, S. C. 

1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 

Per cent. 
22.46 
25.17 
13.29 
13.57 
16.39 
19.00 
18.36 
17.63 
22.27 
17.01 
19.11 
18.62 
16.34 
14.79 
13.59 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


203-5-1 


Per cent. 
72.25 
85.30 
68.97 
68.10 
68.34 
72.02 
70.92 
69.21 
74.45 
69.01 
70.28 
73.42 
72.59 
72.48 
68.88 


Per cent. 
5.56 
3.70 
4.12 
4.33 
5.19 
5.32 
5.34 
5.43 
5.69 
5.27 
5.68 
4.95 
4.48 
4.07 
4.23 


203-9-1 


Per cent. 
74.68 
71.09 
69.62 
74.82 
71.84 
69.55 
67.16 
72.35 
70.34 
76.04 
71.15 


Per cent. 
6.35 
4.22 
6.02 
5.27 
6.17 
3.92 
3.95 
5.40 
4.14 
4.57 
6.42 


Per cent. 
25.08 
14.60 
19.82 
20.93 
21.91 
12.87 
12.03 
19.53 
14.15 
19.07 
22.25 


203-5-2 


203-9-2 


203-5-3 


203-9-3 


203-5-4 


203-10-1 


203-4-1 


203-10-2 


203-4-2 


203-23-1 


203-4-3 


203-23-2 


203-6-1 


203-16-1 


203-6-2 


203-16-2 


203-6-3 


203-3-1 


203-6-4 


203-3-2 . .. . 


203 6-5 


Maximum 

Minimum 

Average 


203-7-1 ......... 


85.30 
67.16 
71.72 


6.42 
3.70 
4.99 


25.17 
12.03 
18.07 


203-7-2 


203-7-3 





MARYLAND. 



At the Maryland station the Stowell Evergreen and the Crosby 
corn were grown on the same plat as that used for the 1905 experi- 
ments. It was plowed April 30, 1906, floated, and 20 bushels of lime 
per acre applied. On May 3 the plat was thoroughly harrowed and 
rolled, and the corn was planted May 5, in rows 3 feet 9 inches apart, 
the hills being 15 inches apart. A small tooth cultivator and a 
riding plow were used in cultivating it June 7 and 17 and July 2 and 
16. The corn w^as ready for the table about the first of August and 
the matured corn was ready for harvesting September 29. 

The rainfall was excessive, especially in August, which made it 
impossible to cultivate the corn properly, and grass and weeds were 
consequently very abundant. The large number of rains, twenty- 
three, coming at the time when the corn was maturing, caused a 
great many oi the ears to mold, especially those which had been 



32 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIKONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



opened for the purpose of sampling. The detailed meteorological 
data are as follows: 

Meteorological data for College Park, Md., 1906. 



Month. 



April . . 
May... 
June. . 
July... 
August 



Mean 

temjera- 

ture. 


Precip- 
itation. 


Clear 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Num- 
ber of 
rains. 


°F. 


Inches. 








55 


3.44 


15 


8 


11 


63 


1.73 


16 


2 


6 


72 


7.56 


9 


4 


14 


75 


6.81 


7 


1 


12 


n 


9.34 


3 


18 


16 



The number of clear days in June, 1906, was only 9, while June, 
1905, showed 21. In July, 1906, there were 7 clear days and in July, 
1905, the record shows 19 clear days. The rainfall for June, 1906, 
was 7.56 inches and for June, 1905, 3.77 inches. The amounts for 
July, 1906 and 1905, were nearly equal, being 6.81 and 6.97 inches, 
respectively. During the period just previous to harvesting very fre- 
quent rainfalls were recorded, among which were several excessively 
heavy ones. An extremely abundant crop of corn was harvested 
this year, the ears being large and well filled but not so sweet as usual. 

For the Stowell Evergreen variety a maximum of 39.50 per cent, a 
minimum of 18.89 per cent, and an average of 27.18 per cent of 
sugars in the total dry substance were found in 1905. In 1906 the 
maximum was 22.19 per cent, the minimum, 7.14 per cent, and the 
average 13.87 per cent, these figures having been obtained from the 
results on 112 ears of corn. The Crosby variety gave the following 
results: Maximum sugar content, 32.44 per cent; minimum, 11.25 
per cent; and average, 17.46 per cent. The detailed analytical 
results follow : 



' Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at College Park, Md., 1906. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 1 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


205-2 1 


Per cent. 
68.88 
63.20 
61.90 
72.40 
65.59 
69.35 
65.86 
63.54 
70.06 
64.56 
66.67 
70.57 
62.82 
60.88 
71.64 
66.74 
66.53 
68.65 
66.50 
66.57 
81.35 


Per cent. 
4. .51 
4.14 
4.65 
5.59 
4.72 
3.82 
4.18 
5.24 
4.21 
5.59 
4.61 
3.57 
5.03 
4.61 
5.43 
5.37 
4.80 
5.16 
4.37 
4.76 
6.05 


Percent. 
14.49 
11.25 
12.21 
20.25 1 
14. [3 
12. 46 
12.24 
14.37 
14. 06 
15.57 
13.83 
12.13 
13.53 
11.79 
19.15 
16.18 
14.34 
16.46 
13.04 
14.24 
32.44 


205-6-2 


Per cent. 
68.60 
76.50 
75.50 
66.60 
71.18 
68.89 
77.38 
74.09 
70.57 
74.01 
77.06 
82.80 
79.93 
66.42 
71.82 
66.50 


Per cent. 
5.12 
6.41 
5.86 
4.20 
4.76 
4.48 
5.64 
5.80 
5.69 
5.71 
5.90 
4.46 
5.18 
3.90 
5.83 
6.08 


Per cent. 
16.35 
27.28 
23.92 
12.58 
16.53 
14.40 
24.96 
22.48 
19.35 
21.97 
25.77 
25.93 
25.81 
11.61 
20.69 
18.15 


205-2 2 


205-6-3 


205 2 3 


205-t')-4 


205 2-4 


205-7-1 


205 2 5 


205-7-2 


205 3 1 


205-7-3 


205 3 2 


205-8-J 


205 3-3 


205-8-2 


205-3-4 


205-8-3 


205-3 5 


205-8-4 


205-3-6 


205-9-1 


205-4-1 


205-9-2 


205 4 2 


205-9-3 


205-4-3 


205-10-1 


205 4 4 


205-12-1 


205-4-5 


205-12-2 




Maximum... 
Minimum. .. 
Average 


205-5-1 


82.80 
60.88 
69.79 


6.41 
3.57 
5.01 


32.44 
11.25 
17.46 


205-5-2 


205-5-3 


205-6-1 





INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 33 

Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at College Park, Md., 1906. 



Serial No. 



206-1-1 . 
206-1-2. 
206-1-3. 
206-1^. 
206-1^. 
206-1-6. 
206-2-1 . 
206-2-2. 
206-2-3. 
206-2^. 
206-2-5. 
206-2-6. 
206-3-1 . 
206-3-2. 
206-3-3. 
206-3-^. 
206-3-5. 
206-4-1. 
20IM-2. 
206-4-3. 
20r>-4-4. 
206-4-5. 
206-4-6. 
206-5-1. 
206-5-2. 
206-5-3. 
206-5-4. 
206-5-5. 
206-5-6. 
206-6-1. 
206-6-2. 
206-6-3. 
206-6-4. 
206-6-5. 
206-7-1. 
206-7-2. 
206-7-3. 
206-7-4. 
206-7-5. 
206-7-6. 
206-8-1. 
206-8-2. 
206-8-3. 
206-8-4. 
206-8-5. 
206-8-6. 
206-9-1 . 
206-9-2. 
206-9-3. 
203-9-4. 
206-9-5. 
206-9-6. 
206-10-1 
206-10-2 
206-10-3 
205-10-4 
206-10-5 
206-10-6 







Sugars 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


calculated 
to water- 






free basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


66.36 


3.20 


9.51 


71.65 


4.02 


14.18 


67.95 


3.61 


11.56 


77.02 


4.12 


17.93 


75.98 


5.24 


21.82 


71.79 


4.04 


14.32 


79.90 


4.46 


22.19 


74.02 


2.19 


8.43 


73.26 


2.65 


9.91 


79.63 


3.55 


17.43 


67.39 


3.85 


11.80 


74.84 


3.34 


13.27 


74.68 


3.45 


13.57 


70.82 


4.03 


13.81 


71.26 


4.79 


16.68 


74.01 


3.83 


14.74 


72.67 


4.02 


14.71 


66.57 


4.78 


14.30 


74.95 


5.06 


20.20 


72.48 


5.19 


18.87 


71.50 


3.65 


12.81 


75.20 


4.56 


18.39 


72.14 


4. 65 


16. 09 


75.49 


5.15 


21.02 


73.15 


3.93 


14.64 


77.58 


3.43 


15.31 


73.32 


3.36 


12.59 


73.68 


3.73 


14.18 


74.64 


3.92 


15.46 


67.13 


4.50 


13.69 


65.82 


3.90 


11.41 


69.45 


3.46 


11.33 


71.81 


3.01 


10.68 


68.55 


3.72 


11.83 


72.32 


3.83 


13.84 


74.28 


3.34 


12.99 


68.59 


3.38 


10.76 


69.30 


4.37 


14.23 


76.22 


2.65 


11.13 


72.14 


3.51 


12. 60 


68.20 


2.27 


7.14 


77.44 


2.67 


11.83 


75.06 


2.62 


10.50 


72.96 


3.38 


12.50 


76.99 


3.25 


14.13 


74.13 


2.84 


10.98 


70.98 


2.64 


9.10 


71.71 


4.75 


16.79 


75.23 


3.50 


14.13 


73.88 


4.12 


15.77 


75.98 


4.57 


19.03 


73.55 


3.92 


14.82 


70.17 


4.22 


14.15 


71.82 


4.04 


14.34 


69.99 


3.75 


12.50 


69.22 


4.51 


14.65 


74.80 


3.98 


15.79 


71.20 


4.10 


14.24 



Serial No. 



20(5-11-1 

206-11-2 , 

20(1-11-3 

20(5-11-4 

206-11-5 

206-11-6 

20G-12-2 

206-12-3 

206-12^ 

206-12-5 

206-12-6 

206-13-1 

206-13-2 

206-13-3 

206-13-4 

206-13-5 

206-13-6 

206-14-1 

206-14-2 

206-14-3 

206-14-4 

20(5-14-5 

206-14-6 

206-15-1 

206-15-2 

206-15-3 

20(5-15^ 

206-16-1 

206-16-2 

20(5-16-3 

206-16-4 

206-16-5 

20(5-16-6 

206-17-2 

206-17-4 

206-17-5 

206-17-6 

206-18-1 

206-18-2 

206-18-3 

206-18-4 

206-18-5 

206-18-6 

20(5-19-1 

206-19-2 

206-19-3 

206-19^ 

206-19-5 

206-19-6 

2015-20-1 

206-20-2 .. 

206-20-3 

206-20-4 

206-20-6 

Maximum 
Minimum . 
Average . . 



Moisture. 



Per cent. 
71.75 
70.82 
78.28 
75.68 
75.80 
74.46 
69.74 
74.85 
74.16 
72.94 
72.92 
69.02 
65.00 
69.97 
69.84 
70.64 
68.89 
71.86 
72.00 
68.24 
72.82 
74.97 
71.98 
72.74 
71.82 
74.63 
78.88 
72.64 
73.65 
73.00 
71.40 
66.44 
71.43 
66.12 
71.21 
69.62 
68.98 
78.99 
70.20 
69.69 
79.48 
72.76 
74.22 
70.11 
69.90 
62.77 
73.01 
72.98 
69.75 
73.89 
76.02 
74.52 
68.50 
73.23 



79.90 
65.00 
72.34 



Total 
sugars. 



Per cent. 
3.56 
4.53 
4.45 
5.21 
3.10 
4.17 
3.38 
3.61 
3.43 
3.52 
3.48 
3.28 
2.83 
3.34 
6.55 
2.93 
3.78 
3.30 
3.34 
4.05 
3.36 
3.89 
3.59 
3.22 
4.14 
5.32 
3.85 
4.74 
4.25 
3.57 
4.53 
3.60 
4.14 
3.75 
3.39 
3.65 
3.66 
4.07 
3.54 
4.52 
4.15 
3.79 
4.01 
3.25 
3.51 
3.46 
2.64 
2.45 
3.06 
3.59 
4.42 
2.54 
3.06 
3.40 



6.55 
2.19 
3.77 



Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 



Per cent. 
12. CO 
15.52 
20.51 
21.44 
12.81 
16.33 
11.17 
14.35 
13.27 
13.01 
12.85 
10.59 
8.09 
11.13 
21.72 
9.98 
12.15 
11.73 
11.93 
12.75 
12.36 
15.54 
12.81 
• 11.81 
14.70 
20.97 
18.23 
17.32 
16.13 
13.22 
15.84 
10.73 
14.49 
11.07 
11.77 
12.01 
11.80 
19.38 
11.88 
14.92 
20.24 
13.91 
15.55 
10. »7 
11.66 
9.29 
9.78 
9.09 
10.12 
13.75 
18.43 
9.97 
9.71 
12.70 



22.19 
7.14 
13.87 



CONNECTICUT. 



The corn was planted at Orange, about three 
the plat used for the Crosby variety being a 
used for tomatoes. The soil was thoroughly 
per acre of a high-grade fertilizer, containing 
8 per cent of- phosphoric acid, and 8 per cent 
The corn was planted May 12, and cultivated 

4925— Bidl. 127—09 3 



miles from New Haven, 
sandy loam previously 
tilled and 600 pounds 
4 per cent of nitrogen, 
of potash, was applied, 
with a horse cultivator 



34 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



about every two weeks. It was ready for the table about September 
10, and the mature ears were picked October 4. 

For the Stowell Evergreen a hardpan subsoil was used which had 
been planted in cucumbers in 1905. This corn was planted May 
16, the cultivation and fertilization being the same as for the Crosby 
variety. On September 20 it was ready for table use, and the mature 
ears were harvested October 4. 

In Connecticut, as at each of the other stations, a lower per- 
centage of sugars was obtained for both varieties of corn in 1906. At 
this point, though the total rainfall was sHghtly greater than in 
1905, for three weeks previous to the harvesting of the crop less than 
0.1 inch of rain fell. In percentage of sugars Connecticut stood last 
of all the stations cooperating, and the sugar content was less than 
that obtained at the New Jersey station in 1905. 

The detailed analytical and meteorological data are appended. 

Meteorological data for New Haven, Conn., 1906. 



Month. 



May 

June 

July 

August 

September, 



Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 



F. 

58.7 
67.9 
71.8 
73.1 
66.4 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
4.75 
5.14 
5.62 
1.13 
4.82 



Clear 
days. 



Cloudy 

days. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn groim at Orange, Conn., 1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


209-1-1 


Per cent. 
70.65 
62.56 
62,51 
65.24 
68.99 
71.34 
63.32 
67.88 
62,80 
61.27 
59,41 
61.16 
71.84 
71,28 
63,47 
08.86 
65, 40 
66, 65 
62, 30 
64.67 
64 78 
62. 81 


Per cent. 
4.93 
3.66 
4.10 
4.23 
5,32 
5,14 
4.79 
5.08 
3,35 
4,00 
4.23 
3,88 
5.07 
3.73 
3,95 
4.25 
5.05 
4,50 
4,50 
3,20 
4.31 
2.56 


Per cent. 
16.79 

9.71 
10.93 
12.17 
17.16 
17.93 
13. 56 
15.81 

9,01 
10, 33 
10,42 

9 94 
18,00 
12,99 
10.82 
13,65 
18,00 
13.49 
11.96 

9.06 
12,24 

6,88 


209-6-2 


Per cent. 
63.10 
60.88 
62,26 
68,78 
66,52 
60.58 
65,29 
66.80 
63,00 
63,80 
64.53 
65.36 
60 24 
62,80 
69,20 
68.99 
69,67 
69,29 


Per cent. 
4.26 
3.57 
3.46 
4.05 
4,02 
2,93 
3 66 
3.98 
4.46 
5,00 
4.46 
4,95 
4, .57 
4.76 
4.79 
3,80 
4,30 
4.29 


Per cent. 
11,54 
9.13 
9,17 
12,97 
12.00 
7.43 
10,54 
11.99 
12,05 
13.81 
12.57 
14,28 
11.49 
12.79 
15,55 
12,26 
14,18 
13,97 


209-1-2 


209-6-3 


209-1-3 


209-6-4 


209-1-4 


209-7-1 


209-2-1 


209-7-2 


209-2-2 


209-7-3 


209-2-3 


209-7-4 


209-2-4 


209-8-1 


209-3-1 


209-8-2 


209-3-2 


209-8-3 


209-3-3 


209-8-4 


209-3-4 


209-9-1 


209-4-1 


209-9-3 


209-4-2 


209-9-4 


209-4-3 


209-10-1 

209-10-2 


209-4-4 


209-5-1 


209-10-3 


209-5-2 


209-10-4 




Maximum... 
Minimum... 
Average 


209-5-4 


71.84 
59,41 
65, 26 


5,32 
2,56 
4,23 


18.00 
6,88 
12.46 


209-5-5 


209-6-1 





INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 35 

Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn groivn at Orange, Conn., 1906. 



Serial No. 



210-1-1 
210-1-2 
210-1-3 
210-1-4 
210-1-5 
210-1-6 
210-2-1 
210-2-2 
210-2-3 
210-2-4 
210-2-5 
210-2-6 
210-3-1 
210-3-2 
210-3-3 
210-3-4 
210-3-5 
210-3-() 
210-4-1 
210-4-2 
210-4-3 
210-4-4 
210-4-5 
210-4-fi 
210-5-1 
210-5-2 
210-5-3 
210-5-4 
210-5-5 
210-5-6 
210-6-1 
210-6-2 



Moisture. 


Total 






Per cent. 


Percent. 


71.31 


3.52 


73.80 


3.96 


09. 76 


3.82 


65. 06 


3.06 


72.59 


3.22 


70.49 


3.52 


69.24 


3.57 


71.89 


3.38 


75.06 


4.05 


73.70 


4.21 


71. 96 


4.17 


72.57 


3.88 


71.86 


3.17 


75.35 


3. 66 


70. 43 


3.80 


81. 54 


3.16 


72. 84 


3. 43 


74.40 


3.44 


78.20 


4.06 


71.30 


3.67 


68.42 


3.17 


73.66 


3.87 


71.85 


4.00 


72.68 


3. 75 


75.36 


4.74 


69.67 


3.06 


74. 85 


4.05 


75. 00 


4.26 


77.88 


4.34 


74.55 


4.09 


77.76 


4.84 


72.57 


3.16 



Sugars Ij 

calcula- 1; 

ted to 1 1 

water-free 

basis. 1 



Per cent. 
12.27 
15.11 
12.63 
8.76 
11. 75 
11.90 

11. 60 

12. 03 
16.24 
16.01 
14.87 
14.14 
11.26 
14. 85 
12. 85 
17.12 

12. 63 
13.44 
18.62 

13. 54 
10.04 

14. 68 
14.21 
13. 73 
19. 23 
10.09 
16. 10 
17.04 
19. 62 
16. 07 
21.76 
11. .52 



210-6-3.. 
210-6-4.. 
210-6-5.. 
210-6-6.. 
210-7-1.. 
210-7-2.. 
210-7-3.. 
210-7-4.. 
210-7-5.. 
210-7-6.. 
210-8-1.. 
210-8-2.. 
210-8-3. . 
210-8-4.. 
210-8-5.. 
210-8-6.. 
210-9-1 . . 
210-9-2.. 
210-9-3.. 
210-9-4.. 
210-9-5.. 
210-9-6.. 
210-10-1 . 
210-10-2. 
210-10-3. 
210-10-4. 
210-10-5. 
210-10-6. 



Maximum... 
Minimum. . . 
Average 







Sugars 


Moisture. 


Total 


calcula- 
ted to 






water-free 

basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


69. 45 


3.61 


11.81 


74. 09 


4.28 


16.51 


71. .32 


a 64 


12.68 


73.04 


3.91 


14. 50 


74.92 


4.58 


la 26 


75.64 


3.06 


12. 56 


71.15 


2.96 


10.26 


76.11 


4.82 


20.17 


67.14 


3.71 


11.28 


72.99 


3.83 


14.18 


71.40 


3.87 


ia53 


74.12 


3.89 


15. 03 


72. 39 


3.55 


12.86 


69.12 


a 48 


11.27 


71.27 


a 80 


ia22 1 


71. 66 


a 72 


iai3 


73.50 


a 96 


14.92 


75. 54 


a 73 


15. 25 


77. 36 


4.00 


17. 67 


75. 80 


4.60 


19.01 


77.24 


5.21 


24.21 


75. 89 


4.36 


18. 08 


76.08 


4.12 


17.22 


75.80 


4.57 


18.88 


72.28 


4.44 


16.02 


81.62 


5.62 


30.57 


72.73 


4.87 


17.86 


75.70 


4.72 


19.42 


81.62 


5.62 


30. 57 


65.06 


a 06 


8.76 


73.38 


a 92 


1.5. 10 



MAINE. 



At the Maine station one-lialf acre of Crosby corn was planted on 
June 5, 1906, and carefully cultivated throughout the season. The 
soil was a strong clay loam which had been used in 1904 for cabbage 
and corn, and in 1905 for a variety test of peas. In the fall of 1905 a 
heavy application of stable manure was made, and at the time of 
planting about 400 pounds of a high-grade complete commercial 
fertilizer was used. The characteristics of the 1906 season at the 
Maine station are shown by the following data: 

Meteorological data for Oro7io, Me., 1906. ' 



Month. 



June 

July 

August 

September 



Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 



Precipi- 
tation. 



°F. 
6a 2 
68.6 
69.0 
59.2 



Inches. 
2.86 
2.47 
1.69 
1.51 



Clear 
days. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Num- 
lier of 
rains. 



36 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN, 



The total rainfall at the Maine station was less in 1906 than in 
1905 and yet the number of rains was greater. The mean tempera- 
ture for August, 1906, was 5 degrees above that given for August, 
1905. The analysis of the crop gave the following figures: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Orono, Me., 1906. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


207 1 1 


Per cent. 
70.33 
73.73 
70.26 
72.58 
73.70 
72.12 
66.78 
72.20 
67. 96 
71. 60 
78. 26 
71.36 
64.43 
64.77 
7^45 
66.02 
67.17 
71.75 
66.80 
68.01 


Per vent. 
4.09 
5.89 
4.57 
6.30 
6.27 
5.42 
5.23 
5.89 
5.35 
6.33 
6.65 
5.89 
5.05 
3.78 
6.88 
5.27 
5.24 
7.08 
5.94 
5.21 


Per cent. 
13.79 
22.46 
15.37 
22.98 
23.84 
19.44 
15.74 
21.19 
16.72 
22.29 
30. 59 
20. 57 
14.21 
10.73 
25.91 
21.98 
15. 96 
25.06 
17.89 
16.29 


207-4-4 


Per cent. 
77.53 
70.92 
71.00 
74.71 
70.44 
67. 48 
79.22 
72.96 
82.37 
77.40 
70.66 
69. 10 
75.41 
76.20 
72.32 


Per cent. 
6.63 
6.17 
6.20 
5.72 
5.28 
6.96 
5.16 
5.78 
5.32 
6.63 
4.70 
4.46 
6.58 
4 98 
4 59 
6.12 


Per cent. 
29.51 
21.14 
21.38 
22.62 
17.86 
21.40 
24 83 
21.38 
30.18 
29.34 
16.02 
14 43 
26.76 
20.92 
16. 58 
26. 49 


207 1-2 


207-4-5 


207 1 3 


207-4-6 


207 1 4 


207-5-1 


207-1-5 


207-5-2 


207 1-6 ... . 


207-5-3 


207 2 1 


207-5-4 


207 2 2 


207-5-6 


207-2-3 


207-6-1 


207 2 4 


207-6-2 


207-2-5 . 


207-7-1 

207-7-2 


207 2-6 


207 3-1 


207-8-1 


207-3-2 


207-8-2 


207 3 3 


207-8-3 


207-3-4 


207-9-1 

Maximum... 


• 76. 90 






207-4-1 


82.37 


7.08 
3.78 
5.66 


30. 59 
1.3. 79 
20.94 


207-4-2 . . . 


Minimum... 1 64 43 
Average 1 71.88 


207-4-3 









This crop was harvested about September 25. While the sugar 
content is not so high as in 1905, yet the Maine station stands first 
in this respect, having a little higher percentage than the South 
Carolina station. 



GENERAL DISCUSSION OF DATA. 

Again South Carolina decidedly leads as to sugar content, having 
about the same as Maine for the Crosby variety, 20.64, as compared 
with 20.94; and 18.07 per cent for the Stowell, Connecticut standing 
second with 15.10 per cent. For the Stowell Evergreen variety the 
Florida and Maryland stations show about the same figures, namely, 
13.94 and 13.87 per cent, respectively, while for the Crosby corn the 
Connecticut station stands last with 12.46 per cent, the Maryland and 
Florida stations ranking tliird and fourth, respectively (17.46 and 
15.64 per cent). Figure 2 presents these data graphically, together 
with the data for temperature, altitude, and average length of day at 
the several stations. 

In 1905 the Stowell Evergreen com grown in New Jersey was very 
much lower in sugar content than that fi'om any other station, 
namely, 14 per cent; Connecticut, which stood next, having over 21 



INVESTIGATION OF 1906. 



37 



per cent ; while the lowest percentage of sugar in the Crosby corn was 
above 30 per cent and was found at the Connecticut station. The 
data for 1906 show a decrease in every case in sugar content, varying 
from 7- per cent in the case of the Stowell Evergreen growTi at Con- 
necticut to 18 per cent in the case of the Crosby, other decreases 
amounting to 10, 11, 13, and 15 per cent. Unfortunately the experi- 
ment at the New Jersey station was abandoned, so no direct compari- 
son can be made. In 1906, however, there is only one case (South 
Carolina, with 18.07 per cent) in which the sugar content of the 
Stowell Evergreen corn is appreciably above the lowest average for 




Fig. 2.— Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average length of day at the diflferent 

stations, 1906. 

1905 — that of New Jersey. The 1906 minimum for the Crosby corn, 
always rich in sugar (12.46 per cent at the Connecticut station), is 2 
per cent lower than the minimum for the Stowell Evergreen variety 
at New Jersey in 1905. 

The average meteorological data for the two years do not throw 
much light on the marked inferiority of the 1906 crop, and it seems 
probable that it is the distribution of the sunshine and rainfall rather 
than the total amounts thereof (provided these do not exceed or fall 
below certain limits) which determine the quahty of this crop. (See 
comparison of data for 1906 and 1907.) 



38 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. . 

SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DATA FOR 1906. 
Analytical data/or Crosby and Stowell Evergreen com, 1906, for Jive stations. 



station. 



Lake City, Fla 

Clemson College, S. C 
College Park, Md. . . . 
New Haven, Conn . . . 
Orono, Me 



Variety of corn. 



Crosby. 



Moisture, 



Per cent. 
67.11 

76.77 
69.79 
65.26 
71.88 



Total sugars. 



Original 
sample. 



Per cent. 
5.01 
4.73 
5.01 
4.23 
5.66 



Calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis 



Per cent. 
15.64 
20.64 
17.46 
12.46 
20.94 



Stowell Evergreen. 



Moisture. 



Total sugars. 



Original 
sample. 



Per cent. 
70.27 
71.72 
72.34 
73.38 



Per cent. 

4.07 
4.99 
3.77 
3.92 



Calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 



Per cent. 
13.94 
18.07 
13.87 
15.10 



Meteorological data, 1906. 



Station. 



Temper- 


Precipi- 


Clear 


Cloudy 


ature. 


tation. 


days. 


days. 


"F. 


Inches. 






71.0 


22.66 


34 


41 


71.6 


28.07 


67 


17 


68.4 


28.88 


50 


33 


67.8 


21.46 


56 


38 


65.0 


8.53 


53 


38 



Partly 
cloudy 
davs. 



Sun- 
shine. 



Lake City, Fla 

Clemson College, S. C. 

College Park, Md 

New Haven, Conn 

Orono, Me , 



Per cent. 

a 62 

60 

53 

55 



« Sunshine data for nearest station making this record, i. e., Jacksonville. 

INVESTIGATION OF 1907 

INTRODUCTION. 

The experimental work on the effect of environment on sugar corn 
was continued in 1907 in the same manner as during the two years 
previous, the same stations collaborating, viz, Florida, South Caro- 
Hna, Maryland, Connecticut, and Maine. A record of cultural and 
meteorological data was kept as before, and at the proper time anal- 
yses of the edible corn were made at the different stations. 



FLORIDA. 

As the Florida experiment station was moved from Lake City to 
Gainesville in the fall of 1906 the corn for the investigation of 1907 
was planted in a somewhat different type of soil. However, this is 
the only variation, as the climate and other conditions were about the 
same. The corn was planted March 14 and came up in about ten 
days, producing a very good stand. Commercial fertilizer was sown 
in the rows with the seed, these rows being opened with a nlow. The 
seed was not covered deep. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1907. 



39 



The yield was satisfactory, but some difficulty was encountered in 
securing seed for the next season, owing to the ravages of raccoons. 
The corn in the edible stage was sweet and tender, and was not 
attacked by weevils, as was the case at Lake City in 1906. 

The following table gives the climatic conditions under which the 
corn was grown: 

Meteorological data for Gainesville, Fla., 1907. 



March 
April. 
May.. 
June.. 



Mean 
temper- 
ature. 



72.4 
66.3 
76.8 
80.6 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
0.32 
3.08 
3.91 
4.35 



Clear 
days. 



Partly ; Cloudy 
cloudy, days. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



Sun- 
shine. 



Per cent. 
79 
56 
69 
81 



The rainfall at Gainesville, Fla., was \gvj evenly distributed dur- 
ing the growing season, and although the precipitation in !March was 
small there appeared to be sufficient moisture for germination, as the 
plants came up quickly and a good stand was obtained. During the 
first two weeks of the period of development of the ear the rainfall 
was plentiful and frequent, while the last two weeks were dry, which 
would tend to produce a large yield^ and a sweet corn. The temper- 
ature during the months of April and May was favorable for the 
growth of the corn, which at the edible stage presented an unusually 
fine appearance. There were very many clear days, the percentage 
of sunshine being high in all the months except April, 

Besides securing a good yield from both varieties, the sugar con- 
tent of the corn was much higher this year than in 190G, a gain of 5 
and 10 per cent, respectively, being recorded for the two varieties. 
The Stowell Evergreen corn had a high average content of sugar, 
namely, 24.25 per cent, though the minimum was as low as 10.33 
percent. The detailed analytical data follow: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Gainesville, Fla., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


21 


Per cent. 
71.96 
72.03 
69.88 
72.44 
70.90 
67.44 
79.28 
67.42 
69.87 
77.15 
77.90 
71.72 
71.08 
68.87 
73.17 


Per cent. 
5.44 
5.34 
4.41 
5.28 
6.06 
5.83 
5.38 
5.17 
5.32 
5.42 
4.61 
5.25 
4.39 
5.59 
4.21 


Per cent. 
19.40 
19.09 
14.64 
19.16 
20.83 
17.91 
25.97 
15.87 
17.66 
23.72 
20.86 
18.57 
15.18 
17.96 
15.69 


61 


Per cent. 
75.60 
78.84 
64.78 
65.27 
78.19 
71.39 
80.24 
67. 82 
78.29 
61.33 


Per cent. 
6.63 
6.81 
5.71 
5.67 
6.27 
4.39 
7.20 
6.48 
7.35 
6.18 


Per cent. 
21. n 
32.18 
16.18 
16.33 
28.75 
15.34 
36.44 
20.14 
33.86 
13.40 


22 


62 


23 


63 


24 


64 


25 .... 


65 


26 


66 


27 


67 


29 


68 


31 


69 


33 . . 


70 




Maximum. . . 
Minimum... 
Average 


36 


80.24 
61.33 
72.11 


7.35 
4.21 
6.57 


36.44 
13.40 
20.89 


37 


38 


39 





40 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Gainesville, Fla., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 

basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


1 


Per cent. 
74.29 
82.90 

78.62 
81.83 
82.05 
81.68 
79.96 
79.85 
81.24 
76.11 
79.22 
81.96 
80.54 
79. OS 
77.00 
79.85 
76.07 
76.14 
73.22 
76.34 
70.52 


Per cent. 

4.71 
4.76 
4.46 
6.49 
6.33 
6.33 
4.37 
5.83 
7.19 
4.41 
5.45 
5.32 
5.80 
6.13 
3.41 
5.30 
4.94 
4.97 
5.80 
5.12 
5.90 


Per cent. 
18.32 

27.84 
20.86 
35.72 
35.37 
34.55 
21.81 
28.93 
38.33 
18.46 
26.23 
29.49 
29.81 
29.30 
10.33 
26.30 
20.64 
20.83 
21.66 
21.64 
20.02 


45 


Per cent. 
78.03 
76.74 
76.20 
69.93 
73.33 
74.40 
73.86 
75.60 
73.97 
76.58 
80.43 
78.09 
72.64 
66.77 
81.34 
75.86 


Per cent. 

4.98 
4.51 
7.02 
4.02 
4.15 
5.24 
4.64 
3.94 
6.58 
5.85 
5.85 
6.75 
6.60 
6.33 
5.83 
5.29 


Per cent. 
22.67 
19.39 
29.50 
13.37 
15.66 
20.47 
17.76 
14.87 
25.28 
24.98 
29.89 
30.81 
24.12 
19.05 
31.24 
21.91 


2 


46 


3 


47. 


4 


48 .. 


5 


49 


6 


50 


7 


51 


9 


52 

53 


10 


12 


54 

55 


13 


14 


56 


15 


57 . .. 


16 


58 


17. 


59 


19 


60.. 


20 

41 


Maximum... 
Minimum. . . 
Average 


82.90 
66.77 
77.08 


7.19 
3.41 
5.43 


35.72 
10.33 
24. 25 


42. 


43 


44 





SOUTH CAROLINA. 

The seed used for this planting at the South CaroHna station was 
selected from the crop of 1906, grown at Clemson College, and was 
planted April 17, 1907, on a piece of new ground, sandy loam, which 
had been planted in upland rice in 1905 and in corn in 1906. In 1907 
the soil was plowed to a depth of 8 inches and harrowed; then 200 
pounds of 16 per cent acid phosphate, 100 pounds of kainit, and 200 
pounds of cotton-seed meal to the acre were applied. The plants 
came up about April 30, and were cultivated after each rain with a 
cultivator. The Crosby corn was ready for table use about July 10, 
and the Stowell Evergreen July 16. 

The Stowell Evergreen corn at the South Carolina station was the 
best for the three years in point of yield, stand, and physical appear- 
ance of the ears. The sugar content of the matured corn was not 
so high as that of Florida or Maryland, but the moisture was lower, 
and the sugars in the green corn as analyzed were higher than those 
at the Maryland station. 

For the Crosby variety the average sugar content was higher than 
at any other station, and this has virtually been the case for three 
successive years, though Maine had about the same figure as South 
Carolina in 1906. Here the number of clear days is greater than at 
any other station. The rainfall, though very abundant during the 
early growing period, was only 2.22 inches in June and 2.41 inches in 
July; while in 1906, when the sugar content fell, there were 5.67 
inches in June and 17.7 inches in July, with 15 rains during the latter 
month. The detailed meteorological and analytical data follow: 



INVESTIGATION OF 1907. 
Meteorological data for Clemson College, S. C, 1907. 



41 



Month. 



April 
May. 
June. 
July. 



Mean 
teinper- 
atiue. 



'F. 
54.8 
67.2 
73.0 
80.0 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
4.67 
4.29 
2.22 
2.41 



Clear 
days. 



: Partly 

j cloudy 

days. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



Sun- 
shine." 



Per cent. 
61 
55 
71 

74 



a Sunshine data taken at Atlanta, Ga. 
Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


300-1-1 


Per cent. 
79.93 

72.74 
71.94 
68.73 
68.94 
72.71 
69.50 
77.85 
69.06 
72.98 
77.84 
77.88 
78.67 


Per cent. 
7.86 
6.36 
7.23 
6.58 
8.17 
7.49 
5.22 
0.36 
8.25 
9.02 
7.54 
7.97 
8.57 


Per cent. 
39.16 
23.33 
25.77 
21.04 
26.31 
27.46 
17.12 
28.72 
26.67 
33.39 
34.03 
36.03 
40.18 


300-7-2 


Per cent. 
81.26 
67.81 
74.66 
72.67 
72.08 
77.87 
71.79 
82.70 


Per cent. 
6.77 
7.62 
7.95 
7.26 
8.44 
5.37 
6.59 
5.79 


Per cent. 
36.13 
23.67 
31-. 37 
26.57 
30.23 
24.27 
23.36 
33.47 


300-1-2 


300-8-2 


300-2-1 


300-9-1 


300-2-2 


300-9-2 


300-3-1 


300-11-1 


300-3-2 


300-11-2 


30O-4-1 


300-12-1 


300-4-2 


300-13-2 






300-5-2 


Maximum.. 
Minimum... 
Average 


82.70 
67.81 

74.27 


9.02 
5.22 
7.25 


39.16 
17.12 
28.98 


300-6-1 


300-6-2 


300-7-1 





Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 

1907. 




42 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN, 



MARYLAND. 



The seed used for planting at the Maryland station was selected 
from the 1906 crop. The soil was a sandy loam, which had been 
well limed the previous year, and had a crop of alfalfa grown on it. 
It was prepared by disking, harrowing, and pulverizing until in the 
best possible condition, and commercial fertilizer was sown in the 
rows. 

The corn was planted about 4 inches deep, the rows being 3 feet 9 
inches and the hills 15 inches apart. The crop came up well, but 
owing to the low temperature of May and June and the number of 
rains, the growth was very slow. When the corn was in edible 
condition, about August 15, there was a better stand than had been 
expected. The cultivation and fertilization were the same for the 
Crosby and Stowell Evergreen varieties. The Crosby corn reached 
the edible condition from August 7 to 12, and the Stowell Ever- 
green from August 19 to 22. The character of the season is shown 
by the following table : 

Meteorological data for College Park, Md., 1907. 



Month. 



April . . 
May... 
June... 
July... 
August 



Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 



'F. 
48.2 
58.8 
64.8 
74.0 
71.4 



Precipi- Clear Cloudy 
tation. days. days. 



Inches. 
2.25 
3.44 
5.58 
2.84 
2.84 



Partly 
cloudy. 



Num- 
ber of 
rains. 



Sun- 
shine, a 



Per cent. 
59 
52 
52 
67 
53 



a Sunshine data taken at Washington. D. C. 

The mean temperature at the Maryland station was very much 
below the average until July, the month when sugar is formed, when 
it increased to the normal figure, and the rainfall was nearly the 
same as that given for the South Carolina station for this month. 
The number of clear days is below the average, but the number of 
partly cloudy days is high and the sugar content is much greater in 
both varieties than in 1906, amounting to 22.7 per cent for the 
Crosby and 25 per cent for the Stowell Evergreen. A wide variation 
in sugar content is shown for both varieties, the maxima being 43.85 
per cent for Crosby and 41.42 per cent for Stowell Evergreen, and 
the minima 11.16 and 15.21, respectively. The detailed analytical 
data follow : 



INVESTIGATION OF 1907. 43 

Anahjsis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at College ParJc, Md., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


302-1-1 


Per cent. 
78.64 
77.61 
81.92 
78.93 
80.94 
79.68 
74.99 
76.28 
75.18 
79.25 
76.66 
79.68 
72.00 
71.01 
74.14 
68.38 
70.62 
73.50 
76.56 
79.90 


Per cent. 
2.75 
3.19 
6.56 
5.38 
4.71 
7.85 
2.79 
3.01 
2.87 
6.81 
5.72 
6.77 
5.66 
4.48 
4.74 
6.14 
8.07 
5.13 
7.89 
6.01 


Per cent. 
12.88 
14.25 
36.28 
25.53 
24.71 
38.64 
11.16 
12.69 
11.56 
32.82 
24.51 
33.32 
20.22 
15.45 
18.33 
19.42 
27.47 
19. 36 
33.66 
29.90 


302-6-1 


Per cent. 
77.48 
80.40 
76.08 
75.41 
79.41 
71.62 
77.60 
67.91 
81.62 
67.20 
72.22 
76.06 
69.45 
72.31 
65.09 
69.37 


Per cent. 
6.23 
» 6.97 
4.89 
5.99 
5.65 
5.90 
5.13 
4.25 
8.06 
5.37 
5.38 
5.08 
6.04 
4.83 
4.02 
4.25 


Per cent. 
27.67 
35.56 
20.45 
24.36 
27.44 
20.79 
22.80 
13.24 
43.85 
16.37 
19.37 
21.22 
19.77 
17.44 
11.52 
13.88 


302-1-2 


302-6-2 


302-1-3 

302-1-4 

302-2-1 


302-6-3 


302-6-4 


302-7-1 


302-2-2 


302-7-2 


302-2-3 . 


302-7-3 


302-2-4 


30'2-7-4 


302-3-1 

302-3-2 


302-8-1 . 


302-8-2 


302-3-3 


302-8-3 


302-3-4 . 


302-8-4 


302-4-1 

302-4-2 

302-4-3 


302-9-2 


302-9-3 


302-10-1 


302-4-4 


302-10-2 

Maximum. .. 
Minimum. . . 
Average 


302-5-2 


81.92 
65.09 
75.14 


8.07 
2.75 
5.40 


43.85 
11.16 
22.72 


302-5-3 


302-5-4 





Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn groivn at College Park, Md., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


303-1-1 


Per cent. 
82.99 
83.22 
81.05 
79.86 
79.63 
78. 05 
77.84 
82.40 
83.88 
81.22 
76.80 
79.35 
81.80 
78.72 
83.06 
80.21 
77.84 
81. 67 
81.55 
79.00 
80.42 
81.50 
77.36 
80.36 
81.56 
80.80 
77.92 
81.40 


Per cent. Per cent. 
4.82 28.34 
4.81 ' 28.67 
4.96 1 26.17 
4.72 j 23.44 

4. 09 I 20. 08 
4.52 20.59 
4.56 20.58 
7.29 41.42 
4.55 28.23 
5.33 28.38 
4.44 1 19.14 
6.52 , 31.57 

5.10 28.02 
3.65 i 17.20 
5.65 1 .3.3. .35 


303-13-2 


Per cent. 
83.18 


Per cent. 
b.AQ 
4.06 
4.51 
4.06 
3.16 
4.63 
4.39 
4.28 
5.47 
5.49 
4.78 
3.96 
5.32 
4.64 
6.01 
5.32 
4.41 
4.19 
4.48 
8.59 
5.60 
5.09 
5.46 


Per cent. 
32.11 


303-1-2 


303-13-3 


303-2-1 


303-14-1 


79.90 
79.48 
79.22 
79.18 
78.42 
80.50 
84.04 
81.52 


22.44 
19.79 
15.21 
22.24 
20.34 
21.95 
34.28 
29.71 


303-2-2 


303-14-2 


303-3-1 

303-3-2 


303-14-3 


303-15-1 


303-3-3 . 


303-15-2 


303-3-4 


303-15-3 


303-4-] 


303-16-1 


303-6-1 

303-6-2 


.303-16-2 

303-16-3 


303-7-1 . . . 


303-17-1 


79.38 
82.08 
79.28 
85.31 
84.12 
77.68 
82.80 
80.68 
77.50 
81.76 
79.72 
80.84 


19.21 
29.69 
22.40 
40.92 
33.50 
19.76 
24.36 
23. 19 
38.18 
30.70 
2.5. 10 
28.50 


303-7-2 

303-7-3 

303-8-1 


303-17-2 


303-17-3 

303-18-1 


303-8-2 


5.08 
4.52 
4.24 
4.21 
5.26 
5.24 
4.54 
4.46 
3.81 
4.39 
3.83 
4.27 
4.47 


25.67 
20.40 
23.13 
22.82 
25.05 
26.76 
24.54 
19.70 
19.40 
23.81 
19.95 
19.34 
24.03 


303-18-2 


303-8-3 


303-19-1 


303-9-1 


303-19-2 


303 9-2 


303-20-1 


303 9 3 


30.3-20-2 . . . 


303-10-1 

303-11-1 

303-11-2 

303-11-3 

303-12-1 

303-12-2 

303-12-3 

303-13-1 


303-5-1 


303-4-2 

303-10-2 


Maximum.. . 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


85.31 
76.80 
80.59 


8.59 
3.16 
4.813 


41.42 
15.21 
24.97 



CONNECTICUT. 

At Orange the corn was planted on May 28 and 29, 1907, on a 
sandy loam soil, which had been under cultivation and well fertilized 
for a number of years. Lima beans were grown on it in 1905 and 
tomatoes in 1906. Twelve tons per acre of stable manure, together 
with 600 pounds of 4-8-8 fertilizer, were used for the 1907 crop. 



44 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



The soil was plowed to a depth of about 5 inches, harrowed fine and 
smooth, marked with a shovel-nosed marker, and planted 4 inches deep. 

The corn was cultivated both ways four times from 3 to 4 inches 
deep with a one-horse cultivator, and required one hand weeding. It 
tasseled about August 5, the Crosby corn reaching the edible condi- 
tion between September 3 and 7, and the Stowell Evergreen between 
September 9 and 12. 

The first frost occurred October 15, 1907, and a killing frost fol- 
lowed on October 21. The corn was completely ripened by October 
22 and was harvested on October 23, 1907. 

The meteorological data obtained at New Haven, Conn., are given 
in the following table : 

Meteorological data for New Haven, Conn., 1907. 



Month. 


••=H s:- 


Clear 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Sun- 
shine. 

Per cent. 
52 

58 
71 
60 
39 


May 


° F. 1 Inches. 
53 4.42 

64 3. 18 
72 1. 10 
69 ' 1.21 

65 : 7.67 


9 
10 
16 
16 

9 


10 
7 
4 
5 

14 


June 


July 

August 

September 



At the Connecticut station the rainfall was small during the growing 
season, being 1.10 inches for July and 1.21 inches for August, while 
during the harvesting season, September, it was excessive, attaining 
the high figure of 7.67 inches. The percentage of sunshine, as well as 
the mean temperature, were favorable to the growth of the plant, but 
at the time the sugars and starch were forming in the kernels the 
percentage of sunshine was very low, falling to 39 per cent for Sep- 
tember. The percentage of sugars was 4.73 per cent higher in the 
Crosby and 2.01 per cent higher in the Stowell Evergreen than it was 
for the same varieties in 1906. The detailed analytical data follow: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Orange, Conn., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


305-1-2 


Per cent. 
62.50 
70.22 
68.12 
64.94 
71.93 
71.60 
69 71 
70.68 
71.24 
73.30 
74 68 
68. 46 
72.68 
75.40 
66.24 


Per cent. 
3.89 
3.47 
3.45 
5.08 
4.79 
5.61 
3.17 
5.61 
3.98 
5.63 
5.35 
5. 00 
3.47 
5.98 
5.03 


Per cent. 
10.37 
11.65 
10.83 
14.49 
17.06 
19.75 
10.46 
19.15 
13.84 
21.09 
21.13 
16.04 
12.72 
24.30 
14.90 


305-9-2 


Per cent. 

77.88 
69.02 
75.78 
73.04 
70.96 
67.10 
67.28 
74.04 
79 63 
72 38 
72.38 


Per cent. 
5.85 
5.43 
4.95 
5.17 
5.28 
5.15 
5.21 
5.06 
4.42 
5.23 
4.38 


Per cent. 
26.40 
17.53 
20.43 
19.18 
18.18 
15.65 
15.93 
19.49 
21.70 
18.94 
15.88 


305-2-2 


305-11-1 


305-3-1 


305-13-1 


305-4-1 


305-13-2 


305-4-2 


305-14-1 


305-4-3 


305-14-2 


305-5-2 


303-16-1 

305-16-2 


305-5-3 


305-6-1 


305-18-1 


305-7-2 


305-18-2 


305-8-1 


305-19-1 


305-8-2 


Maximum.. . 

Minimum 

Average 


305-8-3 


79.63 
62.50 
71.19 


5 98 
3.17 
4.83 


26.40 
10 37 
17.19 


305-8-4 


305-9-1 





INVESTIGATION OF 1907. 



45 



Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Orange, Conn., 1907. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


306-1-2 


Per cent. 
78.82 
78.56 
83.12 


Per cent. 
4.85 
4.39 
4.73 
5.19 
3.45 
3.15 
3.13 
3.31 
3.43 
3.80 
2.89 
3.53 
3.07 
4.08 


Per cent. 
22.90 
20.52 
28.04 

""i4.28' 
16.14 
15.12 
15.02 
12.65 
17.98 
10.88 
18.00 
14.83 
21.28 


306-13-2 


Per cent. 
81.70 
75.32 
77.68 
79.72 
78.82 
81.42 
79.16 
73.64 
76.89 
74.82 


Per cent. 
3.97 
3.13 
3.13 
4.29 
2.99 
3.77 
5.07 
1.95 
3.51 
3.78 


Per cent. 
21.69 
12.68 
14.05 
21.16 
14.08 
20.30 
24.34 
7.39 
15.17 
15.01 


306-1-3. ... 


306-13-3 


306-2-1 


306-14-1 


306-2-3 . . 


306-14-2 


306 8-3 


75.68 
80.45 
79.28 
77.95 
72.86 
78.88 
73.44 
80.39 
79.30 
80.82 


306-14-3 


306-9-1 


306-15-1 


306-9-2 


306-15-2 


306-9-3 


306-15-3 


306-10-1 

306-10-2 

306-10-3 

306-11-3 

306-12-1 

306-13-1 


306-16-1 


306-16-2 


Maximum... 
Minimum. . . 
Average 


83. 12 5. 19 
72. 86 2. 89 
78. 20 3. 69 


28.04 
7.39 
17.11 



MAINE. 

The Crosby corn grown at the Maine station did not reach the 
edible condition before the first frost, and as the samples secured were 
extremely young, their analyses will not be comparable with those 
made at other places. The corn was planted June 25 on a clay-loam 
soil which had been used by the horticultural department of the 
station for growing small fruits and garden crops, beets being the 
previous crop grown, on which 800 pounds of commercial fertilizer 
had been used. In 1907 the soil was plowed to a depth of 7 inches, 
harrowed twice with a disk and three times with a smoothing harrow, 
and 800 pounds of fertilizer were then sown broadcast. The corn 
was cultivated with a horse cultivator five times and hoed twice. 

The meteorological data were favorable to a high sugar content ; a 
heavy rainfall, 5.77 inches, occurred in June and 3.44 inches in July, 
the time of germination and early growth at the Maine station, and 
very little rain fell in August (1.41 inches), thus favoring the storage 

of sugar. 

Meteorological data for Orono, Me., 1907. 



Month. 


Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 


Precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Partly 
cloudy. 


Cloudy 

days. 


June 


o jr. 

61.8 
66.8 
65.2 
59.4 


Inches. 
5.77 
3.44 
1.41 
6.12 


10 
10 
11 
6 


5 

10 
11 
11 


15 
11 
9 
12 


July 


August 


September 



The data for the Maine station are given for reference and com- 
parison, but are not platted with the other stations in the graphic 
charts for the reason previously given. Attention is called to the 
high percentages of sugar found, notwithstanding the immaturity of 
the samples; and this is of special interest when considered in con- 
nection with the 1905 data for the Crosby. During that year the 
sugar content for the Crosby variety was also very high, and the corn 
was not as young as the Maine samples for 1907. 



46 INFLUENCE OF ENVIKONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

Analynis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Orono, Me., 1907. 



Serial No. 



1. 
2 

v. 

5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10 
11 



Moisture, 



Per cent. 
83.32 
80.50 
77.75 
80.85 
76.77 
75.32 
82.06 
79.18 
80.72 
82.31 





Sugars 


Total 


calculated 


sugars. 


to water- 




free basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


8.18 


49.04 


8.27 


42.41 


8.92 


40.09 


8.72 


45.54 


8.90 


38.31 


8.08 


32.74 


8.92 


49.72 


ft 


43.23 


41.08 


8.97 


50.70 



Serial No. 



12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

Maximum. 
Minimum. 
Average . . . 



Moisture. 



Per cent. 
81.41 
77.42 
75.51 

82.58 
82.74 
81.68 



83.32 
75.32 
80.01 



Total 
sugars. 



Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 



Per cent. 
9.01 
6.69 
6.99 

7.86 
7. .57 
9.12 



9.12 
6.69 
8.32 



Per cent. 

48.47 
29.63 
28.54 
45.12 
43.86 
49.78 



60. 70 
28.54 
42.39 



GENERAL DISCUSSION OF DATA. 



The results of the investigation in 1907 are platted graphically in 
figure 3, showing the percentage of sugars in the two varieties of 
corn, altitude of stations, temperature, and average length of day. 



^t 
1000 
900 
800 
700 
600 
500 
400 
300 
200 
100 




i§ 
«^ 

/PCt 
28 
27 
26 
25 
24 
23 
22 
21 
20 
19 
18 
17 
16 
15 



EXF'L/INy^ T/ON : 

Sa6/1/? //V CffOSBY CORfV T£MP£f?/\TU/?£ 

SUGAff fIV STOW£lL £i^£/f<SR££N CO^N 

/>V£/?A6£ l£A/6T» OF D/1Y ALT/TUD£ 



Fl/i. 



S.C. 



Md. 



COAfN. 




FLA. 



S.C. 



Md. 



Conn. 



I 



!2 
S^ 

II 

14.30 
1420 
1410 
14.00 
13.50 
13.40 
13.30 
13.20 

laio 

13.00 



Fig. 3.— Percentage of sugar in the corn, temperature, altitude, and average length of day at the diSerent 

stations, 1907. 

For the third time the South Carolma station produced the Crosby 
corn with the highest percentage of sugar; but a higher percentage of 
sugar was found in the Stov/ell Evergreen at both the Florida and 
Maryland stations, although the two previous years the South Caro- 
lina station led for both. The sunshme data follow in a general way 
those of 1905 and 1906, Maryland havmg the lowest percentage, with 
Connecticut only slightly higher, while South Carolina and Florida 



INVESTIGATION OV 1908. 



47 



have the greatest amounts. The percentage of sunshine is higher at 
every station than it was in 1906, and with one exception, Connecti- 
cut, it is higher than in 1905 also. The distribution of sunshine 
shows a greater number of clear days than was found in either of the 
previous years, with the exception of Maryland, where the greatest 
percentage occurred in 1905. 

The percentage of sugar and the temperature curves follow in 
general the lines of the other years except in the case of the Maryland 
station, where the temperature is lower than at the Connecticut 
station. 

SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DATA FOR 1907. 

Analytical data for Crosby and Stowell Evergreen corn grown at four stations, 1907. 



Station. 



Variety of com. 



Crosby. 



Moisture. 



Total sugars. 



Edible 
condi- 
tion. 



Calcu- 
lated to 
water- 
free 
basis. 



Stowell Evergreen. 



Moisture. 



Total sugars. 



Edible 
condi- 
tion. 



Calcu- 
lated to 
water- 
free 
basis. 



Gainesville, Fla 

Clemson College, S. (' 

College Park, Md 

New Ilaven, Conn . . . 



Per cent. 
72.11 
74.27 
75.14 
71.19 



Per cent. 
5.57 
7.25 
5.40 
4.83 



Per cent. 
20.89 
28.98 
22.72 
17.19 



Per cent. 
77.08 
76.82 
80.59 
78.20 



Per cent. 
5.43 
4.95 
4.83 
3.69 



Per cent. 
24.25 
22.05 
24.97 
17.11 



Meteorological data, March to September, 1907, at five stations. 



Tempera- 
tation. 



Precipi- 
tation. 



Clear 
days. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Partly 
eioudy 
days. 



Sunshine. 



Gainesville, Fla 

Clemson College, S. C- 

College Park, Md 

New Ilaven, Conn. . . 
Orono, Me 



'F. 
74.0 
68.7 
63.4 
64.6 
63.3 



Inches. 
11.66 
13.59 
16.95 

17.58 
16.74 



Per cent. 

71.2 

165.2 

656.6 

57.2 



a Percent of sunshine given for Atlanta, Ga. 

t> Percent of sunshine given for Washington, D. C. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1908. 
FLORIDA. 

At the Florida station the Crosby corn was grown in sandy soil, the 
preceding crop having been sorghum. The ground was prepared by 
plowing to a depth of 4 to 6 inches with a two-horse plow and then 
harrowing with a smoothing harrow. Fertilizer was ap})lied in the 
form of barnyard manure, and the seed was planted by hand on 



48 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIEONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



March 11. The young plants appeared March 18 and were cultivated 
March 25 and April 3, 14, and 27, with a two-horse riding cultivator. 
The corn tasseled May 1, and reached the edible condition May 30, 
the matured corn being harvested July 1. 

The plat of land devoted to the Stowell Evergreen corn was also of 
a sandy type, but had lain fallow the previous season. The ground 
was prepared in the same manner as that for the Crosby, and the dates 
of planting, appearance of young plants, and cultivation, as well as 
the methods of cultivation, were also the same. The first tassel ap- 
peared May 5, the corn being in full tassel May 16, and ready for 
table use June 1. The mature corn was harvested July 1. 

The characteristics of the -season are shown b}^ the following 
meteorological data for the growing months: 

Meteorological data for Gainesville, Fla., 1908. 



Month. 


Mean 
temper- 
ature. 


Total 
precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Partly 

cloudy 

days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Num- 
ber of 
rains. 




o p 

69.0 
76.1 
75.9 
79.2 


Inches. 
0.16 
1.60 
1.78 
8.95 








2 
5 
7 
17 




25 
2(j 
15 




1 
5 


5 
4 
10 


May... 


June 





For a period of thirteen days just previous to the harvesting of the 
corn no rain fell, but two days before work began a rainfall of 1.45 
inches was recorded, and during the time of harvesting four rains oc- 
curred. The analysis of the crop gave the following data: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Gainesville, Flu., 1908. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 

sugars, 

edible 

condition. 


Total 
sugars cal- 
culated to 
water-free 

basis. 




Per cent. 
69.71 
72.06 
67.81 
61.99 


Per cent. 
5.59 
4.69 
5.38 
4.30 


Per cent. 
18.46 
16.79 
16.71 
11.02 


4 

1 


3 

Maximum 

Minimum 

Average 


72.06 6.59 
61.99 4.30 
67.89 4.99 


18.46 
11.02 
15.74 



INVESTIGATION OF 1908. 49 

Analysis of individual cars of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Gainesville, Fla., 1908. 



Serial No. 



32 
36 
21 
33 
24 
7. 
38 
9. 
41 
25 
17 
34 
42 
44 
23 
28 
8. 
14 
22 
13 
31 





Total 


Total 


Moisture. 


sugars, 
edible 
con- 
dition. 


sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


81.80 


6.31 


34.67 


81.87 


5.75 


31.72 


81.53 


5.73 


31.02 


80.08 


5.99 


30.07 


81.80 


5.39 


29.62 


79.49 


5.91 


28.82 


81.90 


4.94 


27.29 


78. 64 


5.77 


27.01 


80.20 


5.07 


25.61 


75.85 


6.09 


25.22 


78.40 


5.43 


25.14 


78.03 


5.01 


22.80 


77.42 


4.92 


21.79 


75.28 


4.91 


19.86 


74.86 


4.83 


19.21 


76.65 


4.39 


18.80 1 


75. 69 


4.50 


18.51 1 


74.96 


4.57 


18.25 


78.33 


3.90 


18.00 


76.48 


4.17 


17.73 


74.09 


4.28 


16.52 



Serial No. 



39 

30 

27 

16 

40 

29 

18 

19 

11 

43 

46 

47 

10 

37 

35 

26 

45 

Maximum. 
Minimum . 
Average . . . 







Total 




Total 


sugars 


Moisture. 


sugars, 
edible 


calcula- 
ted to 




condition. 


water-free 






basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


77.24 


3.75 


16. 48 


74.00 


4.27 


16.42 


74.80 


4.11 


16.31 


72.01 


4. .50 


16. OS 


76.03 


3.76 


15.69 


71.26 


4.48 


15.59 


72.51 


4.28 


15.57 


74.98 


3.87 


15.47 


74.10 


3.89 


15. 02 


71.03 


4.35 


15. 02 


73.22 


3.95 


14.75 


73.76 


3.86 


14.71 


73.20 


3.93 


14.66 


74.15 


3.70 


14.31 


75.03 


3.29 


13.18 


76.58 


2.93 


12.51 


69.93 


3.49 


11.61 


81.90 


6.31 


34.67 


69.93 


2.93 


11.61 


76.24 


4. .59 


20.03 



Although only a few samples of Crosby corn were analyzed, each 
one represents four ears of corn except No. 3, of which only one ear 
was used. Both the averages for moisture and for sugars are about 
the same as the figures obtained in 1906, but are lower than those 
for the preceding year. The stand of corn was also much poorer 
than in 1907. 

The average sugar content of the Stowell Evergreen is above the 
average obtained for the Crosby, despite the fact that the latter is 
usually sweeter. While not so high as the average for 1907, it is very- 
much above that for the 1906 crop. In general quality the corn was 
also superior to the Crosby variety. The matured seeds were attacked 
by the weevil, and it will be difficult to secure seed for planting in 
1909. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

At the South Carolina station the character of the soil used for the 
Crosby corn was a well-drained sandy loam. The land was prepared 
by plowing with a two-horse turning plow, after which it was har- 
rowed with a disk plow. Fertilizer composed of 250 pounds of 14 per 
cent acid phosphate, 100 pounds of nitrate of soda, 225 pounds of 
cottonseed meal, and 320 pounds of kainit per acre was applied at 
the time of planting, April 22. A drouth in the early spring caused 
a poor stand. A weeder was used in the first cultivation and a plow 
cultivator in the three succeeding ones. The corn reached the edible 
state July 11. 

The type of soil on which the Stowell Evergreen was grown was the 
same as that used for the Crosby variety, as were the method of pre- 
paring the ground, the character of the fertilization, and the dates of 
4925— Bull. 127—09 4 



50 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



planting and cultivation. A good stand of Stowell Evergreen was 
obtained, but this was not the case with the Crosby. The edible con- 
dition was reached about July 23. 

The average meteorological data for the months of the growing 
season are as follows: 

Meteorological data for Clemson College, S. C, 1908. 



Month. 


Mean 

tempera- 

tiu-e. 


Total 
precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 

days. 


Partly 
cloudy 
days. 


Cloudy 

days. 


Number 
of rains. 


April 

May 

June 

July 


°F. 
64.0 
69.0 
74.3 
77.6 


Inches. 
6.17 
1.58 
4.84 
6.64 


13 

21 
17 
22 


11 
8 

11 
5 


6 

2 
2 
4 


8 
3 
7 
11 



The rainfall for 1908 was very unevenly distributed. From June 23 
to July 2 no rain fell. On the following dates the inches of rainfall 
were as indicated : July 2, 0.36; July 3, 0.20; July 4, 2.90; and July 5, 
1.06. With the exception of a slight shower on the following day 
no further precipitation occurred until July 19. During this period, 
July 11 to 16, inclusive, the Crosby variety was harvested. On July 
19, 0.90 inch fell, and the next "rain recorded was on July 25, on 
which date the harvesting was finished. 

The analytical data for the Crosby corn are as follows: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 1908. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars, 
edible 
condi- 
tion. 


Total 
sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars, 
edible 
condi- 
tion. 


Total 
sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


17 


Per cent. 
81.85 
82. 52 
83.64 
78.24 
82.34 
76.04 
79.52 
80.71 
78.48 
74.04 
84.97 
73.06 
77.28 
75.63 
74.85 
76.72 
81.67 
73.21 


Per cent. 
7.11 
6.46 
6.03 
6.50 
5.25 
6.91 
5.81 
5.34 
5.84 
6.95 
3.98 
6.69 
5.33 
5.66 
5.83 
5.26 
4.07 
5.69 


Per cent. 
39.18 
36.96 
36.86 
29.87 
29.73 
28.84 
28.37 
27.68 
27.14 
26.77 
26.48 
24.83 
23.46 


27 


Per cent. 
76.53 
76.69 
74.50 
77.23 
77.61 
75.07 
74.91 
72.98 
76.26 
67.46 
70.54 
71.33 
71.35 


Per cent. 
4.80 
4.57 
4.79 
4.23 
4.15 
4.36 
3.93 
3.94 
3.65 
4.89 
4.42 
4.27 
4.23 


Per cent. 
20.45 
19.61 
18.79 
18.58 
18.53 
17.49 
15.66 
15.48 
15.37 
15.03 
15.00 
14.89 
14.77 


31 


6 


1 


29 


16 


30 


7 


23 


21 


4 


3 


19 


S 


22 


18 


25 .... 


14 . . . .. 


26 


20 


24 


12 


2 


28 


9 






32 


23.18 Maximum... 
22.60 1 Minimum... 

22.20 Average 

21.16 


84.97 
70.54 
76.72 


7.11 
3.65 
5.19 


39.18 
14.77 
23.17 


15 


10 


11 









The Crosby variety again showed a higher sugar content in South 
Carolina than at any other station. Here, as in Florida, a sweeter 
corn was produced in 1908 than in 1906, but the percentage of 
sugars was not so high as in 1907. Although the stand was poor, 
a very fair-sized ear was grown and one which had a good flavor. 
The Stowell Evergreen yielded the following analytical results: 



INVESTIGATION OF 1908. 



51 



Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown at Clemson College, S. C, 

1908. 



Serial No. 



45 
35 
9. 
8. 
27 
10 
30 
4. 
22 
19 
5. 
17 
34 
26 
31 
46 
28 
44 
7. 
32 
12 
37 
49 
1. 
24 
14 





Total 


Total 


Moisture. 


sugars, 
edible 
condi- 
tion. 


calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 1 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


79.84 


6. ,34 


31.45 


80.06 


6.16 


30.89 


80.42 


5.57 


28.45 


79.02 


5.90 


28.12 


80.65 


5.31 


27.45 


77.34 


6.15 


27. U 


76.36 


5.35 


22.63 


78.39 


4.84 


22.40 


77.39 


4.90 


21.67 


73.92 


5.57 


21.36 


74.32 


5.47 


21.26 


76. 58 


4.86 


20.75 


77.28 


4.69 


20.64 


77.88 


4.56 


20.62 


75.86 


4.85 


20.09 


76.06 


4.81 


20.09 


76.62 


4.66 


19.93 


73.25 


4.79 


19.71 


73.50 


5.03 


18.98 


75.55 


4.63 


18.94 


74.86 


4.66 


18.54 


77.39 


4.04 


17.87 


78.26 


3. 86 


17.76 


74.78 


4.46 


17.68 


76. 51 


4.05 


17.24 


72.98 


4.62 


17.10 



Serial No. 



20 

25 

3 

33 

15 

11 

18 

21 

16 

41 

42 

36 

47 

48 

29 

50 

2 

40 

23 

13 

6 

43 

Maximum . 
Minimum. 
Average . . . 





Total 


Total j 


Moisture. 


sugars, 
edible 
condi- 
tion. 


calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


76.10 


4.08 


17.07 


75.37 


4.20 


17.05 


74.07 


4.39 


16.93 


73.04 


4.41 


16.36 


74.90 


4.07 


16.21 


73.91 


4.14 


15.87 


76.80 


3.64 


15.69 


73.52 


4.12 


15.56 


73.20 


3.97 


14.81 


69.76 


4.37 


14.45 


80.96 


2.73 


14.34 


75.82 


3.43 


14.18 


71.80 


3.93 


13.94 


73.30 


3.72 


13.93 


74.98 


3.40 


13.59 


72.58 


3.71 


13.53 


75.70 


3.03 


12.47 


73.26 


3.31 


12.38 


74.89 


3.10 


12.35 


75.22 


3.05 


12.31 


69.81 


3.48 


11.53 


69.90 


3.37 


11.20 


80.96 


6.34 


31.45 


69. 76 


2.73 


11.20 


75.50 


4.41 


18.43 



The Stowell Evergreen made a good physical development, being 
tender, well flavored, and producing fair-sized ears, although worms 
were prevalent again this year. 



MARYLAND. 



The plat of ground assigned to the Crosby corn in 1908 at the 
Maryland station was a sandy loam which had lain idle the preceding 
year. The soil was prepared by plowing 6 inches deep and harrow- 
ing until it became smooth and fine. The plat had been previously 
well manured and this year was treated with mixed commercial 
fertilizer. The seed was planted May 28 by hand, the young plants 
came up June 8, and were cultivated three or four times in the ordi- 
nary way and hoed twice. The climatic conditions for the growing 
season were as follows: 

Meteorological data for College Park, Md., 1908. 



Month. 



June... 
July... 
August 



Mean 

tempera^ 

ture. 


Total 
precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Partly 
cloudy 
days. 


Cloudy 

days. 


"F. 
65.0 
69.4 
76.4 
71.9 


Inches. 
3.67 
1.41 
1.52 
5.32 


18 
16 
13 
16 


8 
13 

9 
14 


1 
9 
1 



52 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



The total rainfall for August indicates an abundance of moisture, 
but the rains were not nearly so frequent as in the preceding years. 
On August 9, 0,85 inch of rain fell, and for nine days there was no 
rain, but at the end of that period there was a rainfall of 0.42 inch. 
On August 25 the precipitation was 0,2 inch and on August 27, 
2,8 inches. The Crosby corn did not mature, and since the Stowell 
Evergreen was harvested from August 23 to 30, it is quite evident 
that the last two rains did not affect the storage of sugars. 

The land set aside for the Stowell Evergreen was of the same type 
as that used for the Crosby — that is, a sandy loam. Tomatoes were 
grown immediately preceding this crop. The preparation of the 
soil, character of the fertilization, date of the appearance of the 3^oung 
plants, and the date and manner of cultivation were the same as for 
the Crosby variety. The corn tasseled July 17 and was ready for 
table use about August 23. 

The analytical data are as follows: 

Analysis of individual ears of Stoivell Evergreen corn grown at College Park, Md., 1908. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calculated 
to water- 
free basis. 


401 5 2 


Per cent. 
80.12 
80.64 
81.14 
81.20 
81.56 
78.88 
78.48 
79.12 
78. 72 
79.33 
81.20 
79.54 
79.90 
77.64 
77.98 
79.14 
79.35 
80.32 
77.14 
79.34 


Per cent. 
7.02 
6.15 
5.94 
5.80 
5.57 
6.32 
6.29 
5.89 
5.96 
5.68 
5.09 
5.47 
5.15 
5.62 
5.50 
5.18 
5.12 
4.78 
5.45 
4.83 


Per cent. 
35.31 
31.77 
31.49 
30.85 
30. 21 
29.93 
29.23 
28.21 
28.01 
27.48 
27.08 
26.74 
25.62 
25.14 
24.98 
24.83 
24.79 
24.29 
2.3. 84 
23.38 


401-8-2 


Per cent. 
74.88 
74.79 
80.10 
79.60 
76.12 
76. 76 
75.56 
78.92 
73.24 
75.38 
70.22 
81.70 
73.05 
74.86 
71.22 


Per cent. 
5.66 
5.64 
4.42 
4. 50 
5.12 
4.96 
5.00 
4.30 
.5.10 
4.56 
.5.51 
2.90 
4.24 
3.82 
3.33 


Per cent. 
22.53 
22.37 
22.21 
22.06 
21.35 
21. 34 
20.46 
20.40 
19.06 
18. 52 
18.50 
16.34 
15. 73 
15. 20 
11.57 


401-7-1 

401-.3-1 

401-14-2 

401-12-1 

401-11-2 

401-2-3 

401-4-2 

401 2 1 


401-1-1 


401-14-3 . 


401-10-2 


401-7-2 


401-4-1 


401-12-2 . 


401-16-2 

401-6-1 


401 7 3 


401-11-1 


401-10-1 

401-1.3-1 

401 2 2 


401-8-1 . . 


401-9-1 


401-11-3 


401-.')-l 

401-3 3 


401-15-2 

401-6-3 


401-12-3 

401-6-4 . 


Maximum... 
Minimum. .. 
Average 


81.70 
70.22 
77.92 


7.02 
2.90 
5.20 


35.31 
11. 57 
24.02 


401-14-1 

401-16-1 

401-15-1 



A good crop of corn was produced in Maryland in 1908, and the 
percentage of sugar was higher than at any other station, this being 
the second year during the investigations that the Maryland crop 
showed the highest sugar content. 



CONNECTICUT. 



A plat of sandy loam at Orange, Conn,, was selected for growing 
the Crosby corn in 1908, on which corn had been planted in 1905 and 
1906 and which had lain idle during 1907, The soil was prepared 
in the usual manner and well fertilized with manure and mixed com- 
mercial fertilizer — exact amount unrecorded. The seed having been 



INVESTIGATION OF 1908. 



53 



planted May 28, the young plants came up June 8 and tasseled some 
time between July 17 and 24. The plat was cultivated three times 
with a shovel-toothed cultivator and weeded by hand twice. On 
September 1 the corn reached the edible state and came to full ma- 
turity October 16. The cultural data for the Stowell Evergreen are 
exactly the same except that the plat had been planted with tomatoes 
in the preceding year. The Stowell Evergreen came up June 8, 
tasseled July 17, was edible August 25, and was harvested October 16. 
The meteorological conditions are sliowni in the following table: 

Meteorological data for New Haven, Conn., 1908. 



Month. 



May 

June 

July 

August 

September 



Mean 

tempera- 

tiu-e. 



'F. 
CO. 2 
09.2 
74.6 
69.6 
65.6 



Total 
precipi- 
tation. 



Inches. 
6.10 
1.20 
3.94 

8.12 



Clear 
days. 



Partly 
cloudy 
days. 



Cloudy 
days. 



Rainy 

days. 



Special attention is called to the rainfall data. The corn was 
harvested between September 1 and 7. From August 7, when 0.42 
inch fell, there were no more rains until August 11, when 0.19 inch 
fell; on August 14, 0.1 inch is recorded; on August 17, 0.11 inch; 
on August 22, 2.93 inches; on August 26, 2.91 inches, and the follow- 
ing day 0.11 inch fell — a total of 8.12 inches for August as compared 
with 1.21 inches in 1907, when the heavy rain came in September, 
No other rains occurred until the corn was harvested. The mean 
temperature was higher than for the three previous years. 

The analytical data for the Crosby corn are as follows: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grown at Orange, Conn., 1908. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


402-15-1 

402-19-2 

402-8-2 


Per cent. 
79.79 
77.03 
71.86 
69.11 
82. 44 
68.96 
73.11 
70.60 
66.06 
72.10 
75.09 
64.85 
72.24 
67.16 


Per cent. 
7.06 
5.61 
6.38 
6.91 
3.71 
5.94 
5.05 
5.30 
5.95 
4.86 
4.06 
5.60 
4.16 
4.48 


Per cent. 
34.94 
24.42 
22.67 
22.37 
21.13 
19.14 
18.78 
18.03 
17.53 
17.42 
16.30 
15. 93 
14.99 
13.64 


402-4-2 


Per cent. 
67.10 
68.03 
58. 39 
70.31 
69.22 
71.39 
64.71 
63.20 
70.09 


Per cent. 
4.45 
4.23 
5.45 
3.78 
3.73 
3.31 
3.65 
3.43 
2.43 


Per cent. 
13. .53 
13. 23 
13.10 
12.73 
12.12 
11.. 57 
10.34 
9.32 
8.12 


402-5-1 


402-16-1 


402-16-2 

402-3-1 


402-17-2 


402-13-2 


402-18-1 

402-17-1 

402-3-2 


402-4-1 


402-5-2 


402-2-3 

402-2-1 

Maximum. . . 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


402-1-2 


402-1.5-2 

402-19-1 

402-20-1 

402-2-2 


82. 44 
63.20 
70.12 


7.06 
2.43 

4.76 


34.94 
8.12 
16.58 


402-8-1... . 





54 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



The Crosby corn was planted on what was presumed to be a plat 
well suited to the growing of this crop, but an unusually poor stand 
was secured and in some rows not a single ear could be found. The 
average percentage of sugars for 1908 was low, being 16.58, yet some 
ears with very high percentage were obtained, the maximum being 
34.94. The detailed analytical data were as follows: 

Analysis of individual ears of Stowell Evergreen corn grown in Orange, Conn., 1908. 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


403-14-1 

403-16-2 

403-2-1 


Per cent. 
71.45 
68.96 
72.28 
79.89 
71.60 
73.02 
70.72 
68.32 
73.82 
68.79 
68.98 
70.30 
68.30 
70.25 
73.93 
73.28 
72.52 
66.76 
67.18 
70.02 


Per cent. 
4.99 
5.41 
4.51 
3.02 
3.84 
3.60 
3.81 
' 3.61 
2.92 
3.42 
3.32 
3.09 
3.28 
3.07 
2.68 
2.74 
2.74 
3.24 
3.20 
2.89 


Per cent. 
17.48 
17.43 
16.27 
15.02 
13. 52 
13. .34 
13.01 
11.40 
11. 15 
10.96 
10.70 
10.40 
10.35 
10.32 
10.28 
10.25 
9.97 
9.75 
9. 75 
9.64 


403-12-1 .. . 


Per cent. 
68.86 
71.25 
67.85 
72.48 
70.83 
69. 56 
70.59 
70.71 
74.12 
76.10 
68.36 
67.38 
78.67 
70. 95 
63.97 
70.84 


Per cent. 
2.97 
2.72 
3.04 
2.60 
2.68 
2.66 
2. .53 
2.48 
2.19 
1.97 
2.56 
2. .58 
1.38 
1 30 
1.38 
.81 


Per cent. 
9.54 
9.46 
9.46 
9.45 
9.19 
8.74 
8.63 
8.47 
8.46 
8.24 
8.09 
7.91 
6.47 
4.48 
3.83 
2.78 


403-10-1 


403-9-2 


403-6-2 


403-13-1 


403-16-1 

403-.5-2 


403-3-2 


403-10-2 


403-19-2 

403-13-2 

403-9-1 


403-17-2 


403-11-1 


403-7-1 


403-4-2 


403-12-2 . . 


403-8-2 


403-4-1 


403-6-1 


403-19-1 


403-14-2 

403-.5-1 


403-8-1 


403-20-1 


403-18-2 

403-1.5-2 

403-1.5-1 

403-17-1 

403-3-1 


403-20-2 


403-1-2 

Maximum... 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


79.89 
63.97 
70.91 


4.99 

.81 

2.92 


17.48 
2.78 
10.12 


403-18-1 



The Stowell Evergreen made a very good stand, having been 
planted on the same plat of ground as the 1906 crop. For 1908 the 
average percentage of sugars, however, was only 10.12, with the 
maximum 17.48 and the minimum 2.78 per cent; while in 1905 the 
average was 21.70 per cent; in 1906, 15.10 per cent; and in 1907, 17.11 
per cent. 

The decided drop in the sugar content in this year is of interest in 
connection with the fact that there was a heavy rainfall in August, 
the month when sugar should have been stored, while the total pre- 
cipitation was the lowest recorded in the four years for this station. 

MAINE. 

At the Maine station in 1908 the Crosby corn was planted in soil of 
the clay type intermixed with shaly rock which had produced a crop 
of mangel- wurzels the season before. Preparation of the ground 
consisted of fall plowing and harrowing with a disk harrow twice, 
with a spike-tooth harrow twice, and with a smoothing harrow once. 
The fertilizer employed was a commercial mixture containing 3 per 
cent of nitrogen, 7 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 4 per cent of potas- 
sium oxid applied at the rate of 600 pounds per acre. The seed 
was planted June 8 and the young plants appeared one week later. 



INVESTIGATION OF 1908. 



55 



The plat was cultivated four times with a spike-tooth harrow and 
hoed once. The corn reached the edible condition on September 19. 
The appended table shows the meteorological conditions under 
which the corn was grown: 

Meteorological data for Orono, Me., 1908. 



Month. 


Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 


Total 
precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Partly 
cloudy 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


Rainy 
days. 


June 


"F. 

65.1 
71.2 
65.6 
62.6 


Inches. 
1.35 

2.85 

4.69 

.81 


17 
15 
12 
22 


9 
10 
9 
3 


4 
6 
10 
5 


3 
11 
10 

4 


July 


August 

September 



Although the Crosby corn grown at the Maine station in 1908 was 
second highest in percentage of sugar, still it contained less sugar 
than in former years. There were more clear days during the grow- 
ing season in 1908 and the mean temperature was higher than 
in either of the two preceding years. The rainfall, however, was 
normal. 

The detailed analytical data follow: 

Analysis of individual ears of Crosby corn grotvn at Orono, Me., 1908. 



Serial No. 



C. 
7. 
13 
24 
3. 
38 
22 
21 
8. 
35 
34 
4. 
20 
28 
11 
25 
39 
1. 
33 
26 
19 







Sugars 




Total 


calcula- 


Moisture. 


ted to 






water-free 
basis. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


Per cent. 


81.48 


6.25 


33.75 


80.57 


5.77 


29. 75 


80.17 


5.85 


29.50 


76.82 


5.87 


25. 33 


77.43 


4.85 


21.49 


72.47 


5.90 


21.43 


72.24 


5.80 


20.89 


72.71 


5.63 


20.70 


73.74 


5.38 


20.49 


72.44 


5.64 


20.46 


74.82 


4.87 


19.34 [ 


75.63 


4.69 


19. 25 


73.60 


5.08 


19.24 


75. 41 


4.71 


19.16 


72.82 


6.06 


18.62 


76. 05 


4.39 


18.33 1 


78.36 


3.92 


18.10 


70.71 


5.29 


18.00 


74.48 


4.50 


17.63 


74.86 


4.31 


17.14 


73.48 


4.50 


16.97 



Serial No. 


Moisture. 


Total 
sugars. 


Sugars , 
calcula- 
ted to 
water-free 
basis. 


23 


Per cent. 
72.97 
72.71 
68.76 
78.26 
73.78 
73.84 
69.65 
70.68 
74.38 
74.85 
72.53 
66.53 
69. 24 
70.47 
73.61 
68.88 
69.88 


Per cent. 
4.52 
4.52 
5.17 
3.58 
4.25 
4.02 
4.64 
4.21 
3.59 
3.52 
3.60 
4.58 
4.15 
4.02 
3.43 
3.64 
3.44 


Per cent. 
16.72 
16.56 
16.55 
16.47 
16.21 
15.37 
15.29 
14.36 
14.01 
14.00 
13.10 
13.68 
13.49 
13.01 
13.00 
11.70 
11.42 


10 


12 


32 


36 


31 


14 


27 


18 


15 


29 


37 


5 


16 


30 


40 


17 




Maximum... 
Minimum . . . 
Average 


81.48 
66.53 
73.72 


6.25 
3.43 
4.66 


33.75 
11.42 
18.17 



GENERAL DISCUSSION OF DATA. 

The average data, analytical, meteorological, and geodetic, for the 
year 1908, as shown in the tables of summaries and platted on the 
graphic chart (fig. 4), confirm in a general way those of the three 
previous years. The highest percentage of sugars for the Crosby 
variety was obtained at the South Carolina station, while at the 



56 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



Florida station it was as low as in 1906. The Maine station stood 
second and Connecticut third. In examining figure 4, on which is 
charted the summary of the analytical data given for the Stowell 
Evergreen, it will be noticed that Maryland has the highest per- 
centage* of sugar for the Stowell Evergreen and South Carolina for 
the Crosby, exceeding the figure for Maine by 5 per cent. A com- 
parison of the data for 1908 with those of the three preceding years 
shows the sugar content in both varieties to be above those for 1906, 
but below 1905 and 1907. The average moisture content for the 
Stowell Evergreen (75.14) is higher than that of the Crosby (72.11). 
The percentage of sunshine is practically the same for the Florida 
and the Connecticut stations, with Maryland next and South Carolina 




Fig. 4. — Percentage of sugar in the com, temperature, altitude, and average length of day at the different 

stations, 1908. 

last. Attention should be called to the fact that these data were not 
obtained at the stations, but at distances varying from 8 miles in the 
case of the Maryland and Connecticut stations to 30 miles for the 
Florida station and 100 miles for the South Carolina station. No 
conclusive deductions can be drawn, therefore, but taking into con- 
sideration also the number of clear, cloudy, and partly cloudy days 
as given for each station, the data confirm the opinion stated in the 
summary of the 1905 work, namely, that unobstructed sunshine is 
not necessary to the development of sugar. 

In figure 4 is shouTi the percentage of sugar, together with the 
average length of day, the temperature, and the altitude of the several 
stations. The average temperature for the growing season was higher 
at each station for 1908 than it was for 1907 and the South Carolina 
figures again show the effect of the high altitude. 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEAES WORK. 



57 



Of all the meteorological data, the distribution of the rainfall 
appears to be the most potent factor. At the Maryland and Florida 
stations there fell during the growing season (June and July for the 
the former, April and May for the latter) apparently just enough rain 
to satisfy the requirements of the growing crop. The South Carolina 
station had a fair distribution of rain, and the Connecticut station an 
excessive rainfall at the period of growth when the sugar was forming. 
The total rainfall for Maryland was far below the average for this 
station. The relation between the sugar content and these data is 
discussed in connection with figures 7 to 11, inclusive (pages 62 to 67). 

SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DATA FOR 1908. 

Analytical data for Crosby and Stowell Evergreen com at five stations, 1908. 





Variety of com. 




Crosby. 


Stowell Evergreen. 


station. 


Moisture. 


Total sugars. 


Moisture. 


Total sugars. 




Original 
sample. 


Calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 


Original 
sample. 


Calcu- 
lated to 
water-free 
basis. 




Per cent. 
67.89 
7G.72 


Per cent. 
4.99 
5.19 


Per cent. 
15.74 
23.17 


Per cent. 
76.24 
75.50 
77.92 
70.91 


Per cent. 
4.59 
4.41 
5.20 
2.92 


Per cent. 
20.03 


Clemson College, S. C 

College Park, Md 


18.43 
24.02 


New Haven, Conn 


70.12 
73.72 


4.76 
4.66 


16.58 
18.17 


10.12 











Meteorological data, 1908, for five stations. 



Gainesville, Fla., March to June 

Clemson College, S. C, April to July. . . 

College Park, Md., May to August 

New Haven, Conn., May to September. 
Orono, Me., June to September 



Mean 

temperar 

ture. 


Total 
precipita- 
tion. 


Clear 
days. 


Partly 
cloudy 
days. 


Cloudy 
days. 


°F. 
75.0 
71.2 
70.7 
67.8 
66.1 


Inches. 
12.55 
19.23 
11.92 
20.30 
9.70 


a 66 
73 
63 
71 
66 


a6 
35 
47 
55 
31 


a 19 
14 
30 
27 
25 



Sun- 
shine. 



Per cent. 
6 74 
c61 
d63 

74 



a Data not given for March. 

b Sunshine given for Jacksonville, Fla. 



c Simshine given for Atlanta, Ga. 

d Sunshine given for Washington, D. C. 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS' WORK. 
GENERAL DISCUSSION. 

In reviewing the investigation, the fact that the corn with the 
highest percentage of sugar was grown in South Carolina seems of 
prime importance, since it has always been held that corn grown in 
the South soon lost its sweetness. South Carolina has held the dis- 
tinction of producing the highest percentage of sugar in the Crosby 
corn for three out of the four years, and in 1906 it was practically 



58 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

equal to the highest; and for two out of the four years it made the 
highest record with Stowell Evergreen. In 1907 and 1908, when 
South Carohna stood third, it should he noted that Florida and 
Maryland were the stations producing the corn bearing the highest 
sugar content, Connecticut being the lowest. The corn does not 
make so vigorous a growth either in Florida or in South Carolina as 
it does in Connecticut, but it is as strong as the Maine corn. Mary- 
land corn was much more vigorous than that grown in Florida, South 
Carolina, or Maine, but did not appear to equal the average Connec- 
ticut corn in size of stalk. The kernels of southern-grown corn do 
not present the same physical appearance as that of the northern- 
grown corn, both the germ and the kernel being larger in the former. 

Referring to the summary of analyses of sweet corn for the four 
years 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908, it will be noticed that the sugar 
content of the Crosby variety is, with a few exceptions, higher than 
that of the Stowell Evergreen. This would be expected, as a high 
sugar content is characteristic of the Crosby variety. 

Comparing the results of the individual years, the highest sugar 
values are found in 1905 and the lowest in 1906, while in 1907 the 
results compare more nearly with those of 1905, and the 1908 aver- 
ages are between the two. The extremely high sugar content of the 
corn grown at South Carolina in 1905 and the low percentage found 
at New Jersey in 1905 and at Connecticut in 1908 are in all probabil- 
ity due to the distribution of the rainfall. It will be remembered 
that during the early stages of growth in New Jersey in 1905 such a 
severe drought occurred that the Crosby variety of corn did not 
reach the edible condition, and for a time it was thought that no 
Stowell Evergreen would be secured, and at the Connecticut station 
during August, 1908, during the period when the sugars are formed, 
8.12 inches fell. During the growing season of 1906 the rainfall was 
unusually heavy all along the Atlantic coast, and at each station the 
average sugar content was below the average for 1905, 1907, and 
1908. 

From the data collected, the amount, and more especially the dis- 
tribution, of the rainfall appear to be the dominant factors, and a 
closer interrelation seems to exist between the curves representing 
rainfall and the percentage of sugar than between any of the other 
curves. In substantiation of this point the rainfall by periods has 
been platted for the four years in figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. (For 
detailed discussion see pages 62 to 67.) 

The summary of the work for the four years has been platted in 
greater detail than for each year. The percentage of sugar is the 
average of the Crosby and the Stowell Evergreen for the four years. 
At the New Jersey station the data for one year are given, and at the 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS WORK. 



59 



Florida and Maine stations three years' work has been completed. 
The New Jersey experiment is scarcely comparable with the others, 
as it covers only one year in which the conditions were abnormal and 
the crop almost a failure. The New Jersey station is therefore 
omitted in platting the summary for the four years. 

In figure 5 a very interesting point is brought out, i. e., the effect of 
temperature on sugar formation, the curve showing that the percent- 
age of sugar varies usually with the temperature. The altitude at 
the South Carolina station and the fact that only the Crosby variety, 
having a higher sugar content than the Stowell, was planted in 
Maine, are factors that must be considered, and may partly explain 



gR 
^^ 

Feet 
1000 
900 
800 
700 
600 
500 
400 
300 
200 
100 




£XF*L/^N^T/ON . 



P£R CENT SC/G/J/? /fi/ CORN- 
/^VE/?/1G£: L£NGr/y or DAY— 



/^LT/ruo£r- 



Fla. 



s.c. 



Md. 



CO/VM 



Me. 




Fla 



S.C. 



Md. 



COA/M A7s. 



11 
?? 

14.10 
1400 
13.50 
13.40 
13.30 
13.20 
13.10 

laoo 



Fig. 5.— Four years' summary: Percentage of sugar in the com, mean temperature, average length of day, 
and altitude at the different stations. 

the variations at these points. In the environment studies with the 
beet, however, it was found that the sugar content varied inversely 
with the temperature. The curve showing the average length of day 
also follows that for the percentage of sugars very closely. The 
curve representing altitude appears in the case of the South Carolina 
station to be an index to the sugar content and undoubtedly has an 
important bearing on the high results obtained at this point. There 
is not, however, sufficient difference in the altitude at the other sta- 
tions to form the basis of a definite general conclusion in regard to 
this point, and it can only be considered in a general way, being, of 
course, included in the effect on temperature. As has been stated, 
the rainfall, and especially its distribution, appear to have more 
influence on the formation of sugars than any other factor, and the 



60 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



curves representing rainfall and percentage of sugars indicate this 
relation. The intersection of the rainfall and sugar content lines at 
the Maine station is, in reality, no exception, as less rain is needed 
in the colder climate. 

In figure 6 the line representing the percentage of sugar follows 
somewhat the percentage line for sunshine. This was even more 
striking in the 1906 work and is in accord with the accepted theories. 
Direct sunshine does not, however, appear to control the formation 
of sugars to quite the extent that has been supposed. In most cases 




Fig. 6. — Four years' summary: Average percentage of sugar in the corn, sunshine record, rainfall 

latitude of station. 



, and 



the percentage of sugars varies inversely with the latitude and 
directly with the temperature, and this fact is in direct opposition to 
that noted in the studies on sugar beets. Maine, however, consti- 
tutes a notable exception. 

On comparing the averages of the total sugars for each station, 
South Carolina shows a percentage of 24.42 and Maine of 23.96. In 
connection with this it should be borne in mind that the average 
obtained for South Carolina includes the Stowell Evergreen with the 
Crosby variety. In Maine only one variety was grown, and that was 
the Crosby. If the Crosby varietj^ had been used alone for South 
Carolina, the average would have been 27.21 per cent. 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS WORK. 



61 



As the growing season varied widely in different localities (and 
somewhat at the same stations in different years), the two varieties 
matured at slightly different times even at the same station, and the 
period of examination of the edible corn extended sometimes over 
two weeks, it was impossible to confine the meteorological data to a 
definite period. Therefore the averages for the four years, given in 
the following table, include the whole month in which the corn was 
planted, and that in which it was harvested, giving the general sea- 
sonal conditions. Both precipitation and temperature conditions 
immediately preceding planting would have their effect on germina- 
tion and therefore may logically he included. Any heavy rainfalls 
occurring during the examination of the corn are probably negligible 
and are therefore excluded from the average, the platted data show- 
ing the daily distribution of rainfall indicating the exact conditions. 

Summary of analytical and meteorological data, 1905-1908. 
[Data averaged for month of planting to month of harvesting, inclusive.] 



Stations. 


Total 
sugars." 


Mean 
tempera- 
ture. 


Precipi- 
tation. 


Clear 
days. 


Sun- 
shine. 


Florida: 

190ti 


Per cent. 


71.0 
74.0 
75.0 


Inches. 
22.66 
11.66 
12.55 


34 
72 
66 


Per cent. 
62 


1907 




71 2 


1908 




74 










18.41 


73.3 


15.62 


57 


69 1 






South Carolina: 

1905 




72.7 
71.6 
68.7 
71.2 


19.80 
28.07 
13.59 
19.23 


80 
67 
81 
73 


61 


1906 




60 


1907 




65 2 


1908 




61 








Average 


24.42 


71.0 


20.17 


75 


61 8 






Maryland: 

1905 




68.0 
68.4 
63.4 
70.7 


24.49 
28.88 
16.95 
11.92 


104 
50 
58 
63 


52 


1906 


53 


1907 . .. 


56 6 


1908 


63 








Average 


21.66 


67.6 


20.56 


69 


56.1 


New Jersey: 

1905 


14.12 


68.0 


16.91 


87 


61 






Connecticut: 

1905 




66.2 
67.8 
64.6 
67.8 


17.11 
21.46 
17.58 
20.30 


45 
56 
60 
71 


60.0 


1906 




55.0 


1907 




57.2 


1908 




74 








Average 


17.59 


66.6 


19.11 


58 


61 5 






Maine: 

1905 




62.7 
65.0 
66.1 


10.64 
8.53 
9.70 


45 
53 
66 




1906 






1908 












Average 


23.96 


64.6 


9.62 


55 









o Average of Crosby and Stowell Evergreen com calculated to water-free basis. 



62 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

Summary of analytical data for four staiions, 1905-1908. 
CROSBY VARIETY. 



Station. 


Average sugar content, 
edible condition. 


Average moisture. 


Average sugar content cal- 
culated to water-free basis. 




1905. 


1906. 


1907. 


1908. 


1905. 


1906. 1907. 

1 


1908. 


1905. 


1906. 


1907. 


1908. 


Florida 




5.01 
4.73 
5.01 
4.23 
5.66 


5. 57 
7.25 
.5.40 
4.83 


4.99 
5.19 


'65." 84" 


67.11 
76.77 
69.79 
65. 26 
71.88 


72 11 fi7 so 


"36." 65' 


1.5.64 
20.64 
17.46 
12.46 
20.94 


20.89 
28.98 
22.72 
17.19 


15 74 


South Carolina 

Maryland 


12.22 


74.27 
75. 14 
71.19 


76.72 


23.17 


Connecticut. 


7.73 
6.50 


4.76 
4.66 


73.01 
79.30 


70.12 
73.72 


30.44 
32.76 


16 58 


Maine 


18 17 







STOWELL EVERGREEN VARIP:TY. 



Florida 




4.07 
4.99 
3.77 


5.43 

4.95 
4.83 


4.59 
4.41 
5.20 


75.54 
78.13 
69.28 
74.62 


70.27 
71.72 
72.34 


77.08 
76.82 
80.59 


76.24 
75.50 
77.92 


27.95 
27.18 
14.12 
21.70 


13.94 
18.07 
13.61 


24.25 
22.05 
24.97 


20.03 


South Carolina 

Maryland 

New Jersey 


6.68 
5.78 
4.26 
5.36 


18.43 
24.02 


ConnpctiMit 


3.92 


3.69 


2.92 


73.38 


78.20 


70.91 


15. 10 


17.11 


10 12 







DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL. 

In platting the daily distribution of rainfall the data for 1905 were 
not included, as no work was performed at the Florida station and 
only one variety of corn was planted in Maryland, New Jersey, and 
Maine. The period platted extends from the time when the first tas- 
sels appeared until work on the edible corn was discontinued, and the 
charts are based primarily on the Crosby corn, the Stowell Evergreen 
being usually about ten days less advanced. From the time of tas- 
seling to the commencement of work on the edible corn is a period of 
from twenty-eight to thirty-five days, and this has been divided into 
sections of seven days each to facilitate the study of the distribution 
of the rainfall. 

At the Florida station (fig. 7) in 1906 rains occurred very frequently 
and they are the heaviest recorded. The two weeks following the 
tasseling show eight rainfalls with a total of 7.7 inches. During the 
third week no rain fell, but in the fourth week, just before the corn 
reached the edible stage, there were five rains giving a total precipita- 
tion of 0.8 inch, the record for the next day being 3 inches. During 
the period of harvest there were three more rains, the precipitation 
being 1.4, 0.84, and 1.12 inches, respectively, making a total of 3.36. 
From these data it would appear that as much as 14 inches of rain 
fell in the period from the time of tasseling to the harvesting of the 
corn — an excessive rainfall, explaining entirely the low sugar content 
recorded, even though more rain is required in this latitude than 
farther north. 

The chart for 1907 shows six rains with a total precipitation of 3.7 
inches during the twelve days following the period of tasseling. This 
is less than half of the amount recorded for the corresponding time in 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS WORK. 



63 



1906. During the following two weeks no rain fell, the next rains 
being recorded when the corn was edible (1 inch) and during the har- 
vesting period (0.15 inch). The sugar content for this year exceeds 
that of 1906 by 5 and 10 per cent for the Crosby and Stowell Ever- 
green, respectively, and is greater than the figures for 1908 by 5 and 
4 per cent. 

Frequent light rains are recorded for 1908, two rains with a total 
precipitation of 0.7 inch on the second and third day after tasseling, 
and daily rains from the twelfth to the fifteenth day, inclusive, with 
the same small total precipitation. No further rainfall occurred until 
harvest time, when there was a precipitation of 2.15 inches, distributed 



/P>^/A//C>JZ.Z_. 



S(/G/IR /N CORN. 



6 

.6 

(0 .4 

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y -8 
S .6 

,4 
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H: 



£ 



fe 



20 :^ 

10 fr 

si 



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so:l 

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5iJ 



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P£mOD OFDEV£LOPM£NrOF£A/f. 



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STOWELL 
EVER- 
GREEN. 



Fig. 7.— Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the Florida station. 

over five consecutive days. For the entire four weeks preceding the 
season of harvest six rains are recorded and 1.4 inches of rainfall. 
From these data it would appear that excessive rainfall during 
the first two weeks after tasseling interferes decidedly with the 
storage of sugars, while the very light rainfall during the following 
two weeks represented almost ideal conditions. The undesirable 
conditions of 1906 are obvious, while 1907 and 1908 differ but httle 
in total amount of rain (11.66 and 12.55 inches, respectively), both 
being less than the total for 1906 by about 10 inches. The supe- 
riority of the conditions of 1907 over 1908 was almost entirely due 
to distribution, as in 1907 the heavier rains fell during the first two 
weeks of growth, when needed most, while there was very little 
rain in 1908 during that period. The effect of the distribution and 



64 



INFLUENCE OF ENVm(3NMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



amount of the rainfall on the sugar content would seem to be clearly 
indicated in this case. 

At the South Carolina station (fig. 8) in 1906 seven rains occurred 
during the period of tasseling, a total of 3.9 inches. No rain fell for 
the first two weeks of the growing period, when it was most needed, 
and in the second half of the growing period a total of twelve rainfalls 
amounting to 13.20 inches is recorded, and in three cases these are 
heavy, amounting to 1.2, 1.7, and 3 inches, respectively. Again the 
data show that the sugar content of the corn was markedly low in 
1906, accompanied by excessive rainfall both as to number and 
amount of precipitation, and an unfavorable distribution — that is, 



Ffy^/A/F}4L£-. 



SU6/i/f /A/ COR/^. 




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PSmOD OF D£V£lOPM£A/r OPSAP. 



Fig. 8.— Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the South Carolina station. 

no rain in the early weeks of growth and heavy frequent rainfalls in 
the later weeks, from which a diminution in the storage of sugars 
would be expected. 

In 1907 three rains (1.5 inches) occurred during tasseling. In 
the first half of the growing period four rains (0.82 inch) fell. For 
almost two weeks in the latter half of the period no rains occurred, 
and in the week just prior to harvesting five rains are recorded, 
amounting to 1.65 inches. Again, the 1907 crop contains much 
more sugar than that of 1906 or 1908, exceeding the figures for 1906 
by 8 and 4 per cent, respectively, for the Crosby and Stowell Ever- 
green varieties. The year was marked by the absence of heavy- 
precipitation and many small, well-distributed rainfalls, obviously 
ideal conditions in this regard and in strong contrast to those of 1906. 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS WORK. 



65 



In 1908 there were four rains during the period of tassehng, a pre- 
cipitation of 3.03 inches, and for the first half of the period of growth 
five rains (4.39 inches) are recorded, the second half showing a pre- 
cipitation of only 2 inches distributed in three rainfalls. The sugar 
content for this year is the same as for 1906 in the case of the Stowell 
Evergreen and 2.5 per cent higher for the Crosby, occupying an inter- 
mediate position between 1906 and 1907. This coincides with the 
general theory as to the effect of the rainfall, since the 1908 rainfall, 
while fairly well distributed, is more abundant than that of 1907 
and was rather infrequent in the early growing season and plentiful 



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Fig. 9.— Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the Maryland station. 

during the last week of development, the reverse condition being 
desirable. 

At the Maryland station (fig. 9) the total rainfall for 1906 was excess- 
ive, two especially heavy rains of over 2 inches occurring in the latter 
part of the growing period, three of about an inch, and five slight 
rains, this condition being again accompanied by the minimum 
sugar content in the three years. The Crosby contained over 5 per 
cent more sugar in 1907 than in 1906 and the Stowell Evergreen over 
11 per cent more in both 1907 and 1908. During the period in which 
the corn was tasseling three rains fell, a total precipitation of 1.3 
inches. Four-tenths of an inch of rainfall was recorded for the 
shower (Occurring in the following week. A succession of rains — 
4925— Bull. 127—09 5 



66 



INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 



nine in thirteen days with a total precipitation of 7.6 inches — 12 next 
recorded, and two days prior to the harvesting time there was another 
rainfall, amounting to 0.95 inch. 

In 1907 two rains in the tasseling period gave a precipitation of 
1.52 inches; the next week 0.15 inch fell in two days followed by ten 
days with no rainfall, when 0.75 inch is recorded. Again five clear 
days occurred and in the ten days before harvest five additional 
rains are recorded, aggregating a total of 1.95 inches. The charted 
data shown in figure 9 indicate much less rainfall than in 1906, espe- 
cially during the latter part of the season, although a sufficient 
quantity fell to meet the needs of the growing plant. The sugar 
eontent, as would be expected, is much higher than in the previous 



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Fig. 10.— Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906, 1907, and 1908 at the Connecticut station. 

year, and furnishes another striking example of the effect of frequent 
slight precipitations. 

The record for 1908 shows two light rains during the tasseling 
period; three rains (1.92 inches) occurred in the second week there- 
after, and one more (0.42 inch) a few days before the harvest. The 
sugar content of the corn for this year compared very favorably with 
that of 1907, being orAj slightly less, and the rainfall data parallel 
each other closely. 

At the Connecticut station (fig. 10) the 1906 and 1908 data are 
comparable until the fourth week after tasseling, when the chart 
for 1908 shows two rainfalls in one week of over 2.9 inches each. 
The Stowell Evergreen corn shows markedly the disastrous effects 
of these heavy rainfalls, being 7 per cent lower in sugar than in 1907 



SUMMARY OF THE FOUR YEARS WORK. 



67 



and 5 per cent less than in 1906. The Crosby corn, however, has 
only slightly less sugar in 1908 than in 1907, and it is of interest to 
note that this variety had practically matured before the two heavy 
rainfalls mentioned while the Stowell Evergreen was two weeks 
younger. The 1906 data are more favorable in this case, the rains 
not being excessive as at the other stations, but on the contrary only 
two rains are recorded during the latter part of the growing period, 
amounting to only 0.2 inch, the more important rainfalls occurring 
during the first two weeks after tasseling. 

The year 1907 is again marked by a rather small rainfall, but it 
is not so well distributed as at the other stations, there being only 
two rains during the first two weeks, followed by rather frequent 
though moderate rains up to the time of harvest. Wliile these data 
are hardly to be called contradictory, the effect of" the distribution 



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Fig. 11.— Daily distribution of rainfall by periods for 1906 and 1908 at the Maine station. 

of rainfall is not so striking in this case except in so far as the 1908 
crop is concerned, the 1906 crop remaining low in sugar despite the 
more favorable rainfall conditions. 

The Maine station (fig. 11) shows a low rainfall for both 1906 and 
1908, especially the latter year, when only four rains with an aggre- 
gate of 0.08 inch fell after the period of tasseling, evidently not a suffi- 
cient supply even in a colder climate where less moisture is necessary. 
There is also a better distribution of rain for 1906 and the analyses 
show more sugar for this year, exceeding 1908 by nearly 3 per cent. 

While the problem is too complicated for its solution to rest with 
any one factor, the data for the several stations indicate that within 
reasonable limits, and when none of the other conditions are extremely 
untoward, it is on the even distribution of a very moderate rainfall 
more than any other one factor that the sugar content depends. 
Excessive rainfalls at any time, and particularly during the latter 
part of the growing season, tend to decrease the sugar content. 



68 INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON SWEET CORN. 

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 

By H. W. Wiley. 

1. The content of sugar in sweet Indian corn does not depend so 
much on temperature and length of day as is the case with the sugar 
beet. In the latter case the content of sugar varies inversely with 
the temperature, provided the latter is such as to permit normal 
growth. In other words, the lower the temperature during the grow- 
ing season (within reasonable limits) the higher the content of sugar. 
This does not appear to be the case with sweet Indian corn, since a 
higher average sugar content is found in South Carolina and Florida 
than in Connecticut and Maine. 

2. The content of sugar in sweet Indian corn rapidly diminishes 
after the ear is separated from the stalk. The speed of the diminu- 
tion depends largely on the temperature, being more rapid with a 
higher and slower with a lower temperature; this rule, of course, 
applies to ordinary conditions. This disappearance of the sugar is 
doubtless due to the continued growth of the grains of the ear and 
the transformation of the sugar which they contain into starch or 
some other form of nonsaccharine carbohydrate. Sweet Indian corn 
intended for the table, therefore, should be harvested as short a time 
as possible before being delivered for consumption, and during the 
intermediate period should be kept at as low a temperature as can 
be secured without freezing. 

3. The chief value of Indian corn for the table is found in its sweet- 
ness, although this must be coupled with succulence and tenderness. 
The flavor of the naturally sweet Indian corn can not bo successfully 
imitated by the artificial addition of sugar. Hence it follows that 
there is some particular form in which the sugar is combined by nature 
in the corn which gives it its high value, and mere sweetness, pro- 
duced either by added cane sugar or by saccharine, does not give the 
fme flavor of a naturally sweet product. 

4. The chief difference between the Indian corn of the extreme 
North and that of the extreme South is found not so much in its con- 
tent of sugar as in its succulence, the lower temperatures of the North 
making the corn more tender and edible for a longer period than 
the extremely high temperatures of the South. The season, there- 
fore, during which the green Indian corn can be used and kept in 
good condition is longer in the North than it is in the South ; in other 
words, the ripening process is not so rapidly completed in the North. 
Further, although the southern-grown corn was superior in sugar 
content it was inferior in yield and general physical appearance. It 
would appear, however, that the superiority in sugar content of the 
southern corn opens up a possibility of acclimating the most favorable 
varieties and by selection and careful cultivating greatly improving 
the southern-grown product. 



GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 69 

5. Of all the factors of the environment which affect the edible 
quality of green Indian corn it appears that the amount and distri- 
bution of rainfall are the most important. A moderate and well- 
distributed ramfall, especially during the growing season, is necessary 
to produce a crop having the best qualities. Excessive rainfall in 
the latter part of the growing season or a great deficiency during the 
germinating and growing period equally interferes with the excellence 
of the crop. Naturall}', a larger rainfall is needed in the Southern 
than in the Northern States, and in fact it seems to be more impor- 
tant that it be evenly distributed there. This idea leads to the sug- 
gestion that the very best results in the growing of sweet Indian 
corn for consumption in the green state may be looked for in the irri- 
gated regions, where the supply and distribution of water are under 
absolute control. The cost of land, however, in such localities is so 
great as to render farming more expensive, and hence the great areas 
devoted to the production of green Indian corn will probably continue 
to be found in the northern portions of our country where usually the 
rainfall during the growing period is distributed in such a manner as 
produces the best crop. The great areas of sweet corn will, there- 
fore, still be found on the Atlantic coast from Maryland north and in 
the northern parts of the States bordering the Ohio River, and even 
touching, in some places, the Canadian frontier. 

6. From the data which have been recorded and from the general 
summary it is evident that the graphic representations of the influ- 
ences of environment in the case of green Indian corn are not so 
valuable as was the case with the sugar beet. The curves showing 
variations in temperature, latitude, and altitude, the amount of sun- 
shine, and the quantity and distribution of the rainfall, can not be 
so readily compared with the lines showing the sugar content as in 
the case of the sugar beet. The graphic charts, however, are of use 
in showing the general relations which exist, especially between the 
content of sugar and the rainfall and temperature, but they can only 
be properly studied in connection with the careful reading of the text. 

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